Field System

Walk across open moorland near Launceston and you'll stumble across what looks like nothing much at first - a series of raised banks and ditches cutting through the landscape in neat parallel lines. This is a Bronze Age field system, evidence of farming communities who worked this land over 3,000 years ago. The banks mark ancient field boundaries, and walking between them gives you a real sense of how these people divided and managed their land, long before the hedgerows we see today.

It's the sort of place that appeals most to archaeology enthusiasts and serious walkers rather than casual tourists. You won't find visitor facilities or interpretation boards - this is proper archaeology, left to speak for itself. The site demands some imagination to bring it to life, but if you're the type who enjoys reading the landscape, it's genuinely rewarding. Allow an hour or so for a good wander and some photographs.

The moorland setting is bleak and beautiful in equal measure, particularly on a clear day when you can see for miles. Practicalities are sparse - access appears to be free, though there's limited information about formal opening arrangements. Best visited in decent weather when the ground isn't waterlogged. If you're based at one of the nearby glamping spots like Ekopod or Trewithen Farm, it makes a worthwhile morning expedition before heading into Launceston proper. It won't suit families with young children expecting entertainment, but for history buffs and hikers, it's a genuine insight into Bronze Age Cornwall.