Grim's Ditch

The earthwork cuts across the landscape like a scar, and that's rather the point. Grim's Ditch is an Iron Age defensive line - a proper substantial bank and ditch that once marked a territorial boundary somewhere around 2,000 years ago. You won't find much interpretation on site, which means you're either annoyed by the lack of signage or you quite enjoy the detective work of figuring out what you're looking at.

Walkers get the most from this one. The ditch runs for several miles across Dorset, and there's genuine satisfaction in following its line through fields and woodland, spotting where it rises and falls with the topography. It's not dramatic - no towering ramparts or visible structures. What you get instead is the strange thrill of recognising an ancient boundary still marked in the earth, still determining the shape of modern field edges after two millennia.

It's free to visit, naturally, since there's no gate or visitor centre. Allow as long as your legs will carry you - anywhere from an hour's quick walk to a full afternoon if you're tracing substantial lengths. The nearest proper base is Salisbury, about five miles away, where Summerlands Caravan Park and Salisbury Campsite at Bake Farm make reasonable starting points for exploring the area.

History enthusiasts and keen walkers will find it rewarding. Casual visitors expecting a managed attraction with facilities might feel a bit short-changed. It's very much a 'bring your own context' sort of place.