The Scotchel

The Scotchel is a modest earthwork just outside Marlborough - the sort of thing you might walk past without realising it's actually meant to be there. It's a low bank and ditch arrangement, Bronze Age or Iron Age depending on who you ask, and honestly it won't take you more than five minutes to have a proper look at it.

That said, if you're already in the area staying at one of the nearby campsites - Hillview Park or Totteridge Farm are both close by - it's worth a detour on a morning walk. The Marlborough Downs stretch around here, and there's something rather satisfying about standing on an ancient earthwork and imagining what it was actually for. Locals will tell you it was a boundary marker or defensive position; the truth is nobody's entirely sure, which is half the appeal.

Don't expect facilities or interpretation boards. There's no admission charge because there's nowhere to pay. Just roll up, have a look, and crack on with a walk around the wider area. The Ridgeway Campsite sits a few miles further out if you fancy making an afternoon of it and exploring the Downs properly.

It's the sort of landmark that appeals to history buffs and serious walkers far more than it will to families wanting a structured activity. But if you're the type who enjoys discovering these overlooked bits of England's past while camping nearby, you'll find it satisfying enough.