Castle Howe Hillfort

You'll spot the ramparts from the lane if you know what you're looking for - a grassy mound with a distinct raised edge running around it, the kind of thing that stops you mid-walk and makes you think, 'hang on, what's that?' Castle Howe is an Iron Age hillfort just outside Ambleside, though calling it a 'castle' is doing it a bit generous. What you're actually looking at are the earthwork remains of a defensive settlement, probably from somewhere between 800 and 100 BC. The site itself is small, compact even, and you can walk the perimeter in about ten minutes without breaking a sweat.

It's worth stopping if you're already tramping around the Lake District rather than a destination in its own right. The views back towards Ambleside and over the surrounding fell are decent enough, but they're not going to compete with anything you'll see from the proper peaks. Archaeology types will find it genuinely interesting - the defensive ditch and bank system is still visible, which says something about how well-preserved it's been. Families with younger kids might struggle; there's not much to do here beyond walk round it and read a plaque if there is one. Walkers heading up Great Langdale or around Skelwith could easily slot it in as a ten-minute diversion.

The site's free and accessible, sitting on what appears to be open land. There's no visitor infrastructure, so bring water. If you're camping at Great Langdale Campsite or Skelwith Fold Caravan Park nearby, it's close enough for a quick morning wander before heading up the valley.