Cross Dykes

Cross Dykes is an Iron Age hill fort that sits on the downs near Petersfield, and honestly, it's the kind of place that rewards a bit of effort. What you're looking at are two parallel defensive ditches running across a ridge - the earthworks are still remarkably clear even after two millennia. The site itself is open access, which means you can wander up and explore without paying a penny or booking ahead.

It's worth the short walk from Petersfield if you're into archaeology or British prehistory, though I'll be straight with you - it's not dramatic in the way Maiden Castle is. This is subtle landscape history. You need to get your eye in to really appreciate the ditches and what they tell you about Iron Age settlement patterns. Kids might find it a bit underwhelming unless they're already engaged with that period.

The real value is combining it with a stay at one of the local glamping spots. Cedar Valley is just down the road at 3.3 miles, and both Adhurst Yurts and Glamping at Wallops Wood are within five miles. You could walk to Cross Dykes from any of them on a decent morning, then spend the afternoon exploring the wider downs landscape around Petersfield. Go in spring or early summer when the grass is manageable and the light is at its best for seeing the earthwork detail. Allow an hour to walk and poke about.