Huntingdon Castle

The motte-and-bailey earthworks that mark Huntingdon Castle sit on the edge of town, a proper slice of Norman military architecture now reduced to grassed-over lumps and hollows. What you're actually looking at are the defensive foundations laid down in the 11th century - a raised mound where the keep would have stood, surrounded by a ditch. It's not exactly dramatic, and frankly there's nothing vertical left to gawk at, but if you're into the bones of medieval fortifications, it tells a clear story about how the Normans controlled the landscape.

The site works best for walkers and history types rather than families hoping for castle towers to climb. You'll spend twenty minutes here if you're thorough, maybe ten if you're just passing through. It's free to access and sits right within reach of Huntingdon itself, making it an easy afternoon addition to a longer canal walk or riverside stroll. The surrounding area is reasonably maintained, though it won't grab you unless you know what you're looking at.

Stay at Huntingdon Boathaven & Caravan Park, barely a quarter-mile away, and you can tick it off before breakfast. Wyton Lakes Holiday Park and Quiet Waters Caravan Park sit only a couple of miles out, both giving you quick access to the site. The Cambridgeshire Glamping is further afield at five miles, but puts you within reach of Grafham Water and its broader trail network if you want to make a proper weekend of it. It's the sort of place worth knowing about, but only if Norman archaeology genuinely interests you.