Furzebury Brake

The Iron Age fort at Furzebury Brake sits on high ground above Minehead, commanding views across the Bristol Channel. It's one of those sites where you're walking through actual history - earthwork ramparts still clearly visible, ditches running across the hillside - without the crowds you'd get at Cadbury Castle or other more famous Iron Age strongholds.

What you're looking at is a defensive settlement from around 500 BC, though the exact dating is fuzzy. The ramparts form a rough oval, and on a clear day the vantage point makes sense immediately - you'd spot trouble coming from miles off. It's a proper walk to reach it though, so come prepared for moorland terrain rather than an easy stroll.

History buffs will appreciate the chance to stand inside an actual Iron Age fort and understand how the landscape was used for defence. Casual walkers might find it a bit underwhelming on its own - the earthworks are there, but this isn't Stonehenge. Most people allow 45 minutes to an hour including the walk in.

It pairs well with exploring Exmoor if you're staying at one of the holiday parks near Minehead - Butlins or the Caravan Club site. Both are within easy driving distance, so you could easily combine this with a proper day out walking on the moors. Free to visit, and there's no formal site management, so go when the weather's decent. Boggy after rain.