Butt Close

Standing in a field just outside Melton Mowbray, you might wonder what all the fuss is about. Butt Close doesn't look like much - a few earthworks and raised banks in the grass - but this unassuming site holds centuries of history beneath your feet. The remains here tell the story of medieval settlement, though exactly what kind requires a fair bit of imagination.

History enthusiasts will find this spot properly fascinating, especially those who enjoy piecing together stories from subtle landscape clues. The earthworks are clear enough once you know what to look for, but families with young children might find it a bit too abstract. There's no visitor centre or interpretation boards, so coming armed with some background knowledge helps enormously.

Being free to access (as far as anyone knows), it makes for a decent leg-stretcher if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Eye Kettleby Lakes or The Grange Camping and Caravan Park. Allow about thirty minutes unless you're a real archaeology buff. The site works well as part of a wider exploration of Leicestershire's medieval heritage, though it's hardly worth a special journey on its own. Best visited on a clear day when the earthworks cast proper shadows.