Burrow Hill

The Iron Age hillfort at Burrow Hill sits above West Hill with views that stretch across Devon's red soil farmland. It's essentially a series of defensive earthworks - raised banks and ditches that once enclosed a settlement - and visiting it is more about the archaeology than any dramatic ruins. What you're looking at is 2,500 years of history compressed into lumpy ground, which sounds less impressive than it actually is when you're standing there working out where people lived and how they defended themselves.

This is genuinely one for the archaeology enthusiasts or anyone who enjoys walking the footpaths around rural Devon and spotting Iron Age sites. Families with young kids might find it underwhelming for more than thirty minutes unless they're already into that period. There's no visitor centre, no interpretation panels that I'm aware of, and no facilities - you turn up, walk around the perimeter, and either get it or you don't.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Ladram Bay is five miles away and proper seaside - you could combine it with a morning walk and be back for lunch. Summer's best for visibility through the grass. West Hill is tiny, so factor in a proper drive for supplies. Honestly, it's the kind of stop that appeals if you're already exploring the region's Iron Age heritage rather than something to plan a whole trip around. But if forts and ancient settlements are your thing, it's well worth the short detour from the coast.