Cannington Fort

The walk up Cannington Fort isn't long, but it's steep enough to leave you breathing hard when you reach the top. This Iron Age hillfort sits just outside Bridgwater, commanding views across the Somerset Levels that genuinely justify the huff and puff. What you get is a proper bit of ancient Britain - ramparts and ditches still clearly visible after two thousand years, the landscape falling away below you in all directions.

It's the sort of place that speaks to history enthusiasts more than casual strollers. If you're into Iron Age settlement patterns and defensive structures, you'll read the landscape like a book. Kids might manage the walk and enjoy the views, but there's no interpretation boards or facilities, so don't expect them to stay entertained long. The fort itself is free to wander, and you'll probably need twenty minutes to half an hour at the summit unless you're really examining the earthworks.

Timing-wise, go on a clear day. The Levels can look bleak in drizzle, and you want to actually see the views you've climbed for. It's particularly good in late afternoon when the light flattens across the landscape below. If you're based at one of the caravan parks near Burnham-on-Sea or Mill Farm closer to Bridgwater, it makes for a decent morning walk before heading elsewhere. Don't expect Glastonbury Tor crowds or facilities - this is honest, unvarnished archaeology with honest graft to reach it.