Bury Castle

The earthworks at Bury Castle rise unexpectedly from the Somerset landscape near Minehead - a proper Iron Age hillfort that's been quietly sitting there for nearly 3,000 years. What you're looking at are substantial defensive ditches and ramparts, the sort of thing that makes you actually grasp how seriously our ancestors took their protection.

It's not dramatic in the way Cadbury Castle is, but that's rather the point. You walk the ridgeline and trace the ancient boundaries yourself, no interpretation boards required. The views across to Exmoor are genuinely excellent, which isn't coincidental - the fort's builders knew exactly where they'd positioned themselves.

Historically-minded types will get more from this than casual strollers, though any decent walk in the area naturally incorporates it. Allow an hour, perhaps ninety minutes if you're the sort who sits down to think about these things. It's free, obviously - you're standing in fields - and there's no obvious best time to visit, though the ground can be heavy after rain.

If you're based at one of the holiday parks near Minehead - the Caravan Club site or Butlins - Bury Castle makes a proper addition to your rambling schedule rather than a standalone trip. Pair it with a walk down to the coast at Minehead itself or push further onto Exmoor proper. Worth the detour if you're already in the area, but don't drive specially.