Cotley Castle

A tumbled heap of Norman stonework sits quietly in the Devon countryside, barely two miles south of Exeter. Cotley Castle isn't going to stop your heart - it's a motte-and-bailey site with fragments of a stone keep, the sort of place where you need to squint a bit and let your imagination do the heavy lifting. But that's precisely why it's worth a morning ramble if you're based nearby, particularly at Sunsets & Marshmallows just up the road.

The site itself is accessible and free, though there's no visitor infrastructure to speak of. You'll need decent footwear and a willingness to clamber over uneven ground. The castle dates to the Norman period and commands decent views across the Exe Valley - on a clear day, well worth the walk. Families with older kids who enjoy a spot of amateur archaeology will get more from it than younger ones, frankly. It's not a destination in itself, but rather a perfectly good excuse for a longer walk if you're staying in or around Exeter.

Allow an hour to properly explore and take photographs. The best light comes mid-afternoon. Winter visits are actually pleasant here - fewer insects and better sightlines through the undergrowth. You'll want to check locally for access details before turning up, as there's limited signage. This is the sort of place that rewards a detour during a wider holiday - combine it with walks along the nearby River Exe or a proper day at Haldon Forest, and you've got something rather good on your hands.