Ashley Range (WW2 bomb target)

The scars of the Second World War run deep across Ashley Range, a stretch of open moorland near Fritham where the Luftwaffe dropped bombs with grim regularity. Walking here now, you'll spot the cratered ground and the tell-tale depressions where explosives tore into the earth decades ago. It's an eerie experience - the landscape still bears the marks of that assault, and there's something properly moving about standing in those pockmarked fields knowing what happened there.

This isn't a manicured heritage site with interpretation boards and gift shops. It's raw history, the real thing. You're free to roam the moorland and trace the damage for yourself, which means you'll need a bit of curiosity and imagination to get the most from it. History enthusiasts will find it gripping; families with younger kids might struggle unless they're the sort to enjoy a lengthy walk across open terrain with limited obvious 'attractions'. Allow at least an hour for a proper look around.

Based near Fritham, it sits well within holiday park territory - Longbeech Campsite and Ocknell Campsite are both within a few miles, making it an easy add-on to a New Forest break. The moorland itself is lovely to walk, and on a clear day the views are worth the trip regardless of the history. Go when the ground's dry if you can; the bombing craters collect water and become bog-like in wet weather.