Ashbury hill fort

The walk up to Ashbury is steep enough to make you work for the view, but once you're standing on that Iron Age rampart looking out over the Cornish coast, you'll understand why someone decided to build a fortress here around 2,500 years ago. The fort itself is substantial - multiple defensive ditches and earthworks still clearly visible, worn smooth by centuries but unmistakable. You're essentially walking through someone's ancient home, albeit a heavily fortified one, which does something to your sense of scale and time.

It's not a site of reconstructed buildings or interpretation boards. This is archaeology as you find it - shape and shadow on the landscape. That means history buffs and walkers will get far more from it than families with small children, who might struggle with the climb and then ask "what am I looking at?" within five minutes. Allow a good hour if you want to properly explore the earthworks and take in the coastal views, though you could do it in half that if you're just after the hike.

Near Bude, Ashbury makes a solid morning outing from either the Bude Camping and Caravanning Club Site or the higher-rated Pencuke Farm Holiday Cottages if you're based in the area. The walk is free, naturally - it's open land - and you'll want sturdy shoes and probably to check the weather beforehand. The wind up there doesn't mess about.