Devil's Dyke

The earthwork stretches across the Norfolk landscape like a scar cut by ancient hands. Devil's Dyke is a linear defensive bank that runs for about seven miles, built sometime in the Iron Age and repurposed during Saxon times - though historians still debate exactly who threw up this massive rampart and when. Walking its length, you're following a proper bit of archaeological intrigue.

From Swaffham, it's a straightforward drive to access the dyke. What you get is less a single visitor attraction and more a ribbon of history threading through countryside. The bank itself rises noticeably - enough to catch your eye - and walking along or across it gives you a real sense of the effort involved in its construction. It's the sort of place that speaks to history enthusiasts and archaeology buffs rather than families after an afternoon's entertainment. Walkers appreciate it; others might find it requires a bit of imagination to bring it to life.

There's no entrance fee or visitor centre that we can find. It's free access, which means you can turn up when it suits you. Allow as long as you want - a quick thirty-minute walk to see a decent stretch, or several hours if you're keen to trace more of its path. The views across Breckland are decent enough.

If you're staying at Breckland Meadows Caravan Park - just under six miles away - it's worth a morning's detour. It won't dominate your holiday, but for anyone serious about Iron Age Norfolk, it's worth the visit.