Fort Gregory

The ruins of Fort Gregory sit on moorland between Skipton and Malham, a Roman auxiliary fort that once guarded the road north to Hadrian's Wall. What you'll find is honest archaeology - earthwork outlines rather than standing stone, the kind of site that rewards walking boots and imagination in equal measure.

The fort itself covers a decent chunk of the hillside, and on a clear day the views across Wharfedale are genuinely excellent. You can pick out the defensive ditches if you know what you're looking at, and there's real satisfaction in standing on ground where soldiers were stationed nearly two thousand years ago. The lack of visitor infrastructure means you won't fight crowds, which suits the place. It's not a destination in itself unless you're into Roman Britain, but it's a brilliant waypoint on a longer walk from Skipton north towards the Dales.

You'll need proper footwear and an ordnance survey map or a decent GPS app - there's no signposting to speak of. Allow a couple of hours if you're walking from town, though the fort itself takes twenty minutes to properly explore. Families might find it a bit abstract for younger children; teenagers with history GCSE on the horizon will get more from it.

Stay at Wharfedale Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite or Wood Nook just outside town and you've got easy access for a morning expedition. Free to visit, and worth combining with a proper walk rather than viewing as a standalone trip.