Buccleuch Terracotta Works

The Victorian clay pits just outside Sanquhar aren't much to look at now - just overgrown mounds and red earth scars cutting through farmland - but they're worth the detour if you're into industrial archaeology. This is where they fired terracotta for the whole of Scotland back in the 1800s, supplying roof tiles and chimney pots to houses across the country. You can still see the kiln beds and clay extraction marks on the hillside, and if the light's right, the exposed red clay glows properly lovely.

It's not a visitor centre or anything manicured. You're basically walking around an abandoned works with a bit of interpretation if you're lucky, so it appeals most to history buffs and anyone interested in how Victorian Scotland actually ran. Walking shoes essential - the ground's uneven and can be muddy. There's no charge as far as anyone can tell, and you'd need maybe 45 minutes if you're thorough, less if you just want the photos.

Stay at Sunnyside Lodges nearby (1.5 miles away, top-rated spot) and you're well-placed for exploring the wider Dumfries and Galloway industrial heritage. It's not a thrills-and-spills kind of place - kids under 10 will get bored fast - but if you're keen on seeing how things actually worked in the 19th century rather than reading about it in a museum, the Buccleuch Terracotta Works delivers.