Totnes Castle

The motte and bailey fortress that dominates Totnes sits on a steep hill right above the town itself - you can't miss the ring of earthworks and that rather impressive Norman keep. Built shortly after 1066, it's genuinely one of the best-preserved examples you'll find anywhere in England, which is saying something for a castle that's been standing for nearly a thousand years.

What you're actually looking at is a hefty circular stone tower perched on top of a massive earthen mound, surrounded by defensive ditches that still look properly formidable. The views across Totnes and down the River Dart are genuinely worth the climb. Allow 45 minutes to an hour, though keen photographers and history types might linger longer. Kids tend to enjoy scrambling up the ramparts, though it's steep enough that you'll want to watch smaller ones carefully.

It's a free site, accessible year-round, and you can wander around the grounds without restriction. The keep itself may have limited opening hours depending on the season - best to check locally in Totnes before you go. The town itself is charming enough for a half-day mooch, with independent shops and decent pubs.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Whitehill Country Park or Hoburne Devon Bay are both within four miles - this makes an easy morning trip. It's not a full-day attraction, but combined with Totnes town centre and maybe a riverside walk, it shapes up into a decent outing. Worth the walk up the hill? Absolutely.