Glassonby Circle

A Bronze Age stone circle sitting alone in moorland between Carlisle and the Lake District - that's Glassonby Circle, though honestly it takes some effort to find and even more to get excited about once you're there. The stones aren't massive or particularly dramatic. There are roughly twenty of them arranged in a rough ring, some standing proud, others half-buried or toppled over. It's the kind of place where you stand around wondering if you've come to the right spot.

That said, there's something proper atmospheric about it if you visit when the light's right or when there aren't many people about. The moorland setting means you get real views across Cumbrian countryside, and it's genuinely quiet - a world away from the honeypot sites further south.

Walkers will get more from it than most. It's not a destination in itself, but if you're rambling the Eden Valley, it makes a decent waypoint. Families with young kids might find it underwhelming unless they're already into archaeology. Allow twenty minutes to have a good look around. There's no visitor centre or facilities, so come prepared. The nearest town is Carlisle, about fifteen miles off, and High Hall Farm Campsite sits reasonably close if you're camping in the area.

Worth the detour? Only if you're staying nearby and enjoy quiet moorland walks. Don't expect Stonehenge. Go for the solitude, not the spectacle.