Barton Seagrave Castle

The earthworks at Barton Seagrave aren't much to look at unless you know what you're staring at. A Norman motte-and-bailey castle reduced to grassy humps and ditches, really - the sort of thing that makes you squint and imagine what stood here eight centuries ago. It's the kind of archaeological site that rewards a bit of research beforehand; turn up blind and you might miss it entirely.

Located just outside Kettering, this is fundamentally a walk-through rather than a destination. The remains sit on accessible land, free to explore on foot, and you can cover the whole thing in twenty minutes or so. History buffs get the most from it - you need to picture the timber fortifications, the bailey where the garrison lived, the motte where the keep would have risen. Kids might manage ten minutes before asking if there's anything else to do.

Timing-wise, spring and early autumn are best when the grass is shorter and you can actually trace the earthwork shapes. Winter's possible but muddy.

If you're based at Northfield Farm - a solid five-star spot just 2.5 miles away - this works as a pleasant forty-minute loop walk from your pitch. Lakeview Caravan Park, four miles off, is similarly positioned for a casual morning outing. It's not a showstopper, but it's free, genuinely historical, and sits well within a broader Kettering-area park holiday where you're mixing gentle walks with local colour. Worth an hour of your time if medieval archaeology keeps you engaged.