Hilda's Howe

You'll need proper walking boots and a decent map to find this one. Hilda's Howe is a Bronze Age burial mound sat on the North Yorkshire moors just outside Whitby, the sort of place that rewards effort with genuine solitude. The mound itself is modest in height but commanding in its position - you get the sense of why someone chose this spot thousands of years ago to mark a death.

It's not a manicured heritage site with interpretation boards and a gift shop. There's the earthwork, the view, and your own imagination to fill the gaps. That appeals to serious walkers and archaeology types who want to think rather than be told. Families with younger kids might find it a bit underwhelming - there's no visitor centre, no facilities, no dramatic story unfolding before you. But if your teenagers are into prehistory or you fancy a proper moorland ramble with purpose, this works.

The walk from Whitby takes you through genuine countryside, which is frankly the best part. Allow two to three hours depending on your fitness and how long you linger. Free to visit, obviously, since there's nobody collecting money out here.

If you're staying at Northcliffe & Seaview Holiday Parks right on the coast, Hilda's Howe makes a good half-day inland expedition. It breaks up beach time without requiring a trip into town. Whitby Holiday Park is further out, so the drive might feel less worthwhile unless you're hiking the wider moor anyway.