Croham Hurst round barrow

A Bronze Age burial mound sitting quietly on the Surrey downs near Warlingham - that's Croham Hurst round barrow. It's the sort of place you walk past and might not even notice unless someone points it out, which is precisely why it's worth the detour. The barrow itself is modest, a gentle earthwork rise that's been here for over 3,000 years, covered now in grass and woodland. You get the real thrill from knowing what you're looking at - someone important enough to warrant a proper burial ceremony, goods buried alongside them, all of it hidden beneath this quiet mound.

Walkers and history types will appreciate it far more than casual visitors. There's no visitor centre, no interpretation boards explaining what you're seeing, so you'll want to do a bit of homework before arriving. The actual time spent at the barrow itself is brief - fifteen minutes maximum - but the walk to reach it through the surrounding area is the real draw. It slots nicely into a wider exploration of the downs if you're staying at Milberry Green Meadows or Alderstead Heath Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite.

Free to visit, naturally. Go early morning or late afternoon when the light's better and you'll have the place to yourself. Late spring through early autumn works best - the path can be boggy in winter and visibility drops. It's not a destination you plan your entire trip around, but as part of a park holiday in the area, it adds genuine historical substance to what might otherwise be just another weekend in the south east.