Margidunum

The remains of a Roman fort sit quietly on the outskirts of Nottingham, overlooking the Trent Valley - and unless you know what you're looking for, you'll walk straight past them. Margidunum was built around 70 AD and served as a military stronghold for centuries, though what survives today is mostly earthworks and the ghost of what once stood here.

You won't find much by way of interpretation boards or visitor facilities. This is archaeology in the raw - a few grassed-over mounds and ditches that require a bit of imagination to bring to life. If you're the sort who enjoys piecing together Roman Britain from topography alone, it's genuinely interesting. For anyone else, twenty minutes tops and you're done.

Walkers will get the most from it, particularly those combining the site with a longer ramble through the Trent Valley. It's flat ground, easy going. The real appeal lies in adding it to a wider exploration of Nottinghamshire's Roman past rather than treating it as a standalone destination.

If you're staying at any of the nearby caravan parks - Gunthorpe Camping and Peacock Lake Glamping are within two miles - it's worth a morning detour before heading into Nottingham proper. Free to visit and no time constraints, so you can linger if the mood takes or move on quickly if it doesn't. Honestly, it's the sort of place that matters more to archaeology enthusiasts than casual tourists.