High Hill Castles Lathe

The earthwork defences at High Hill Castles, near Skipton, are the sort of thing that stops you mid-walk and makes you actually think about what you're looking at. What you've got here is a medieval ringwork - basically a fortified enclosure thrown up on high ground, probably in the 11th or 12th century, though the exact dates are debated. The lathe element refers to a barn or outbuilding, suggesting this wasn't purely military but a working settlement too.

Walking the site, the ditches and banks are still clearly visible despite centuries of weathering. It's not dramatic - you won't get the Instagram moment you might with a proper castle - but it's genuinely absorbing if you like unpicking how medieval folk actually lived. Historians and walkers will get the most from it; younger children might find it a bit abstract unless they're already keen on earthworks.

There's no visitor centre or facilities that we can trace, which means it's basically free access on foot. Allow an hour if you're really exploring the earthworks and the surrounding area, less if you're just passing through. The real value comes from combining this with a wider walk across the moorland - Skipton itself is handy for supplies and a decent pub lunch beforehand.

Neither of the nearby parks - Wharfedale Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite and Wood Nook - is more than a mile away, making High Hill Castles a proper gem for a quieter morning walk during a caravan holiday in the Dales.