Hembury Fort

Hembury Fort sits on a proper commanding hilltop just outside West Hill, and once you've made the climb you understand why Iron Age people chose this spot. The views across Devon are genuinely excellent - that's the real draw here, if I'm honest. You're looking at multiple rings of ancient earthworks, grass-covered now, that form concentric circles around the summit. They're not dramatic stone ruins; they're subtle, which means you need to use your imagination a bit, but that's part of the appeal for anyone interested in archaeology.

The walk up takes twenty minutes or so from the nearest access point, and it's not trivial - the path is steep and can get muddy. Families with younger kids might find it tiring without much payoff since there's no visitor centre or interpretation boards to explain what you're seeing. But for keen walkers and history buffs, especially those fascinated by Iron Age settlement patterns, it's well worth the detour.

There's no admission charge that I could find, and you can spend as long as you like at the top - though realistically, thirty minutes of poking about is probably enough unless the weather's exceptional. Summer's the obvious choice, though clear winter days give stunning visibility. If you're staying at Hartridge Springs Spa Glamping nearby, you could easily pair this with a morning walk and still have the afternoon free for the park facilities.