Holt Castle

The ruins of Holt Castle sit on a commanding bend of the River Dee, just outside Chester, and they're honestly worth a quiet hour if you're exploring the area. You won't find much left standing - a fragment of Norman keep, some crumbling walls - but that's rather the appeal. It's the kind of place where you can actually imagine what was happening here in the 12th century without crowds drowning out your thoughts.

The walk down to the site is straightforward and fairly short, though the path gets muddy after rain. Once there, you can scramble about the stones, peer across the river, and take photographs that look far more impressive than the ruins perhaps deserve. The real charm lies in the location itself - a quiet corner of Cheshire where the Dee still feels properly wild.

History buffs will get more from this than casual visitors. Kids under ten might find it underwhelming after ten minutes - there's no visitor centre, no playground, no ice cream van. But teenagers interested in medieval Wales and English fortifications will find something to chew on.

Access appears to be free and unrestricted, though there's minimal signage. If you're staying at Manor Wood holiday park just down the road, it's absolutely worth combining with a walk along the Dee Valley. The castle itself takes maybe 45 minutes max, longer if you're properly poking about the archaeology. Go when it's dry underfoot - spring or autumn are best.