beacon

The Beacon near Driffield is one of those archaeological sites that rewards a bit of detective work to find. It's an Iron Age hill fort - basically a defensive settlement from around 500 BC - sitting on elevated ground with commanding views across the Yorkshire Wolds. What you're actually looking at is earthworks: ditches and banks that once formed protective barriers, now softened by centuries of grass and the occasional sheep.

It's not dramatic in the way that, say, Hadrian's Wall is. There are no standing stones or visible structures to photograph. But if you walk the perimeter and understand what you're seeing - Bronze Age people arranging their defences like this - it shifts into proper perspective. The views alone justify the visit, and the walk itself is straightforward enough for families, though it's worth allowing an hour to properly explore.

You'll get the most from it if you're already interested in Iron Age settlement patterns or you're doing a walking holiday in the area. Base yourself at one of the nearby caravan parks - Thorpe Hall Cottages is only 1.5 miles away - and combine it with other Wolds walks. Driffield itself is close enough for supplies and a decent pub.

There's no visitor centre or interpretation boards that I'm aware of, so bringing a guidebook or doing some reading beforehand will enrich the experience considerably. It's free to visit and accessible year-round, though winter can make the earthworks muddy.