Crofts Moat

A grassy mound in the middle of nowhere, really - that's Crofts Moat. It's a Norman motte-and-bailey from around the 12th century, the sort of thing that makes you squint at the landscape and try to imagine armed men and wooden palisades. Castle Douglas sits just down the road, which is handy for supplies and a decent cup of tea afterwards.

The site itself is free to access and takes about 20 minutes to have a proper look around - longer if you're genuinely interested in medieval fortifications. There's not much interpretation on the ground, so you'll want to do a bit of homework beforehand or bring a guidebook. The mound is climbable if you don't mind slightly boggy ground, and the views across the surrounding countryside are genuinely worth the scramble.

It's the sort of place that appeals to history enthusiasts and walkers rather than families after a day's entertainment. Children might get a kick out of climbing something ancient, but there's no visitors' centre or gift shop to extend the visit. If you're staying at Loch Ken Holiday Park or one of the other caravan parks in the area, it makes a decent morning detour on the way to somewhere else - not a reason to plan your day around, but proper interesting if medieval archaeology is your thing.