Hillsborough Fort

The earthen ramparts rising from the green bowl of land near Hillsborough tell a proper story - this is where English forces dug in during the 1690s, building a star-shaped fort that still commands the landscape. Walk the perimeter and you can still make out the defensive ditches and bastions, though there's precious little left of the buildings that once stood inside. It's more about reading the ground than gawping at ruins, which suits some people down to the ground and leaves others wondering why they've trudged across a muddy field.

Historically minded visitors will find it worthwhile, particularly if you've got an interest in the Williamite Wars or 17th-century military engineering. The setting itself - rolling countryside just outside Hillsborough village - is pleasant enough for a walk, though don't expect interpretation boards or a visitor centre to spell everything out. Bring decent boots unless it's been dry for weeks.

It's the sort of place that works best as part of a broader tour rather than a standalone stop. Being free and easily accessible from Lakeside View Caravan Park, just 3.6 miles away, it makes sense to include it while you're staying in the area. Plan on 45 minutes to an hour, longer if you're the type to sit and sketch the earthworks. The real appeal lies in standing there, imagining the soldiers and the siege, feeling the weight of 330 years of history beneath your feet.