Tess

There's precious little left of Tess now, but that's rather the point. This Iron Age hill fort sits on high ground near Bradford-on-Avon, commanding views across the Wiltshire countryside that would have made it a formidable defensive position two thousand years ago. You won't find much in the way of structures - the ramparts are grassed over, the ditches softened by time - but walk the perimeter and you'll get a genuine sense of why our ancestors chose this spot.

History enthusiasts will find it worth the visit, though families with very young children might find it a bit underwhelming after ten minutes. The real draw is the walk itself and the landscape rather than dramatic ruins. The site is free and accessible year-round, though there's no visitor centre or facilities on-site, so come prepared.

If you're based at one of the nearby sites like Campwell Farm or Widbrook Barns, Tess makes a decent half-day outing - combine it with a walk down to Bradford-on-Avon itself, which has proper charm with its Georgian architecture and the Avon running through it. Best visited on a clear day when those views actually justify the trek. Bring a map though; signage is minimal.