Castle Dykes

The earthworks at Castle Dykes sit on a hillside above Leyburn, and they're genuinely hard to spot if you don't know what you're looking for. There's no visitor centre, no café, no interpretive boards - just you, the lumpy ground, and about 1,800 years of history underneath your feet.

This is what remains of a Roman fort, one of several that dotted the Dales. The defensive ditches and ramparts are still visible if you walk the site carefully, though weather and farming have softened the edges over two millennia. It's the kind of place that appeals most to history-minded walkers rather than casual tourists - you need to use your imagination here, because there's not much to see in isolation.

The real value is in context. If you're already rambling around Wensleydale - and the nearby parks at Stablefell and Cherish Glamping make decent bases for that - Castle Dykes works as a worthwhile detour on a longer walk. Allow 30 minutes to circle the site and get a sense of the layout. There's no charge to visit, and it's accessible year-round, though winter wet makes the slopes treacherous.

It's not a destination in itself. But if you're the sort who likes Romano-British archaeology and don't mind working for your views, the location above Leyburn makes it worth the climb. Proper quiet, proper authentic.