Farway Castle (Site of)

All that's left of Farway Castle is a modest earthwork hidden in the Devon countryside between Sidmouth and the inland slopes. It's not dramatic - no soaring stone walls, no keep rising from the hilltop. What you get instead is a chance to read the landscape like an old text, tracing where Norman lords once held court in what's now just bumps and hollows in a field.

The site sits roughly five miles from Sidmouth, making it a decent half-hour walk from town if you're based near Beer Head Holiday Park. The actual remains are straightforward enough: a motte and bailey layout, the sort of defensive arrangement that was standard across England after 1066. It's the kind of place that matters more to archaeology buffs than casual visitors - if you're into medieval military architecture or tracing Norman settlement patterns, this is genuinely worthwhile. Families with young kids might find it a bit underwhelming after ten minutes; there's no interpretation board and not much to actually climb on.

Go on a clear day when you can see the surrounding country - that's when the defensive positioning makes proper sense. The walk there can be muddy depending on the season, so come prepared. It's free to visit and you can spend as long as you want, though thirty minutes is realistic for most people. Best paired with a wider exploration of the Sidmouth area rather than as a standalone trip. The coastal town itself has plenty more to offer if the earthwork leaves you wanting something with clearer walls.