Lyons Borrow

A Bronze Age burial mound sits quietly in the Wiltshire countryside near Salisbury, unremarkable at first glance but genuinely absorbing if you know what you're looking at. Lyons Borrow is an archaeological site that rewards a bit of homework before you visit - turn up cold and it's just a lumpy field, but spend five minutes reading about what happened here and suddenly you're standing on 4,000 years of history.

The site itself is a round barrow, the sort of Bronze Age communal tomb that dots this part of England. What makes Lyons Borrow worth the trip is its setting and the fact that it's still there, un-excavated and largely untouched - rare for sites this old. Walkers exploring the Wiltshire downland will find it genuinely compelling, especially if you're already familiar with Stonehenge and Salisbury's other monuments.

You'll need your own transport to get here properly, and there's no visitor facility or formal admission that I'm aware of. Check ahead with Salisbury's tourist office before you go - access details aren't always straightforward. Allow an hour or so if you're combining it with walks in the area.

It works best as part of a longer day exploring Wiltshire's archaeological landscape rather than as a standalone stop. Base yourself at one of the nearby parks - Coombe Caravan Park is closest at just two miles out - and spend a day hitting the barrows and ancient sites that cluster around Salisbury. History enthusiasts will get far more from this than families with young children.