Cymbeline's Castle

The earthworks at Cymbeline's Castle sit on a ridge near Aylesbury, though what you're actually looking at is far older and rather less romantic than the name suggests. This is an Iron Age fort - think defensive ditches and ramparts rather than medieval stonework - and what remains today is mostly bumps and hollows in the grass that demand a bit of imagination to bring to life.

It's a decent spot for a walk if you're already in the area, and the views across the surrounding countryside are decent enough. History buffs will find it interesting as a testament to pre-Roman settlement, but it won't hold young children's attention for more than twenty minutes or so. You're looking at rough ground, so proper footwear matters.

Free to visit and accessible year-round, though winter mud can be grim. Allow half an hour tops unless you're genuinely keen on Iron Age archaeology. It works well as a supplementary stop during a park holiday - neither Orchard View Farm Camping & Glamping nor Hill Farm Camping are far away, so you could easily tack it onto a morning walk before heading back for lunch. If you're expecting dramatic ruins or anything remotely castle-like, you'll be disappointed. But if you're the sort who enjoys walking through landscape with a bit of historical weight to it, and you don't mind that the evidence is subtle, it's worth the detour from Aylesbury.