Boscawen-Ros East

Two Bronze Age stone circles stand on a windswept moorland just inland from Penzance, their weathered granite blocks still commanding attention after nearly 4,000 years. Boscawen-Ros East is the less famous of Cornwall's circle sites, which means you'll likely have the place to yourself on a weekday afternoon.

What you're looking at is a proper archaeological find - nineteen stones arranged in a rough circle, though several have toppled over the centuries. The site sits on exposed moorland with views stretching towards the coast, so bring a coat and good boots. There's no visitor centre, no gift shop, no entrance fee. You just turn up and wander around the stones, reading the landscape and imagining what drew people here in the Bronze Age. History buffs and walkers get the most from this one because you're essentially doing the archaeology yourself.

Allow thirty minutes to an hour, depending on how long you want to sit and think. The surrounding moorland is lovely for a ramble afterwards if you've got the energy. It works brilliantly as a morning stop when you're based at Lands End Camping & Glamping or Roselands Caravan Camping Park - both within four miles - and heading towards Penzance or down to the coast. Hit it early if you can, before the light gets flat. Families with young kids might find it a bit abstract compared to more dramatic sites like Stonehenge, but teenagers interested in archaeology will get a genuine kick out of standing in an actual Bronze Age circle without crowds or barriers.