Car Dyke

Standing beside what looks like an ordinary drainage ditch, you're actually viewing one of Roman Britain's most ambitious engineering projects. Car Dyke stretches for roughly 85 miles from Cambridge north to Lincoln, though the section here in Cambridgeshire offers the most accessible glimpse of this ancient waterway. Built around 120 AD, it served as both a defensive barrier and a crucial supply route for moving grain and goods across the fenlands.

Archaeology enthusiasts will find plenty to ponder, though casual visitors might wonder what all the fuss is about. The earthwork remains are impressive in scale but subtle to the untrained eye - essentially a long, straight channel cutting through farmland east of Cambridge. Local historians reckon it took thousands of workers several years to complete.

Walkers can follow public footpaths alongside sections of the dyke, making it a proper addition to a countryside ramble. Kids might lose interest quickly unless they're already keen on Roman history, but it's worth the short detour if you're staying at one of the nearby sites like Gayton Farm or Fen End Farm.

There's no visitor centre or facilities here - just open countryside and a slice of Roman engineering that's been quietly doing its job for nearly two millennia. Best combined with a visit to Cambridge itself, where you can learn more about the region's Roman heritage at the city's excellent museums.