Ardley Castle

Ardley Castle sits just outside Bicester, though 'castle' might oversell it a touch - this is a modest fortified manor house, not some sprawling medieval fortress. What you're looking at are the remains of a 14th-century stronghold that's been knocked about by time and subsequently patched up by successive owners. The stonework's genuine enough, and there's something quite satisfying about picking out the original Norman bits from the later repairs.

It's the sort of place that appeals to castle spotters and local history types rather than families hoping for towers and dungeons. You won't spend hours here - more like thirty minutes if you're thorough - but it's worth a detour if you're already in the area. The setting's pleasant enough, with Oxfordshire countryside rolling away on all sides, which makes it a reasonable walking destination rather than a destination in itself.

Bicester's close enough that you could combine this with the town's other attractions, and it slots nicely into a caravan holiday at one of the nearby parks. Glebe Leisure Touring Caravan Park is only three miles away, making it an easy morning or afternoon trip. If you're based at Weston Caravan and Campsite or Barton Hill Farm - both a bit further out - you'd want to couple it with something else to justify the drive. Check locally about access before you visit, as opening arrangements can be variable for these smaller historical properties.