Beguildy Castle

The earthworks at Beguildy Castle aren't much to look at first glance - just a series of humps and ditches in open Shropshire countryside near Knighton - but they mark the spot where a proper medieval fortress once stood. What you're walking around are the remains of a motte-and-bailey stronghold, a defensive structure that would have been genuinely intimidating in the 12th century. These days the castle is just fields and grass banks, with barely a stone in sight, so it takes a bit of imagination to picture the wooden palisades and keep that once occupied this ridge.

It's the kind of place that appeals most to history buffs and serious walkers rather than anyone expecting dramatic ruins. You won't need more than half an hour here unless you're really into medieval fortifications, and it's free to access - just walk in from the nearby lanes. The views across the borderlands towards Wales are decent though, which makes the detour worthwhile if you're already rambling in the area.

If you're staying at Black Hall Lodges or Offa's Pitch Glamping nearby, this works well as part of a broader historical walk exploring the old Welsh border country. The reality is it's more of a footnote than a destination in itself. Worth knowing about if you're keen on castles and archaeology, but don't expect anything to rival the big Norman keeps you'll find elsewhere in the region.