Horstead

You won't find much to look at when you arrive at Horstead, near Wroxham - just a field, really, and the knowledge that Romano-British settlement once thrived here. That's precisely why it matters. Archaeological work has uncovered evidence of occupation from the 1st to 4th centuries AD, a period when Norfolk was very much on the edge of the Roman world.

What draws history enthusiasts is the chance to stand where people actually lived nearly two thousand years ago. The site itself is unremarkable to the casual eye - no standing stones, no visible structures - but if you're the sort who gets a frisson from knowing the ground beneath your feet tells a story, it's worth the detour east from Wroxham. The Broads area is crammed with archaeological interest if you know where to look, and Horstead sits nicely within that narrative.

You won't need long here - thirty minutes maximum - but couple it with a proper walk around the Norfolk Broads and it becomes part of something larger. Wroxham itself is the hub, with Two Mills Touring Park nearby if you're staying put for a few days. The site is free to visit and there are no formal opening hours to speak of, which means you can investigate at your own pace, whenever suits.

Families might find it a bit thin on engagement without proper interpretation boards, but older kids with a genuine interest in Roman Britain will appreciate the quiet, unglamorous authenticity of it.