Battle of Byland

The fields outside York where Scottish forces routed the English in 1322 don't announce themselves as historic ground. You'll find yourself walking through ordinary North Yorkshire countryside, following a few signs, and then realising you're standing where hundreds of soldiers died in a single afternoon. The Battle of Byland was a crushing defeat for King Edward II - his army simply fell apart when faced with Robert the Bruce's cavalry tactics.

What you actually get is more of a walking experience than a traditional monument. There's open moorland, some interpretive information dotted about, and the sense of scale that comes from seeing the terrain where armies manoeuvred. It's genuinely moving if you have even a passing interest in medieval history. If your kids think battlefields are a bit of a snooze, fair warning - there's no splash park or indoor play area nearby.

History enthusiasts will find it worth the drive from York itself. Allow an hour or so for a decent walk around the site. There's no admission charge, which is proper decent of them. The moorland setting means it's best visited in decent weather - bleak and windswept in February loses some appeal.

Stay at The Hideaway@Baxby Manor just 5 miles away and you've got a cracking base for exploring this corner of North Yorkshire. It's close enough for a morning visit before heading deeper into the countryside around Thirsk and Helmsley. Most people overlook Byland entirely, which is exactly why it's worth your time.