Maxstoke Castle

You'll spot the 14th-century gatehouse before anything else - a proper fortress of red sandstone that's managed to survive while half of England's castles crumbled away. Maxstoke Castle near Coventry is one of the few medieval fortifications in the Midlands that's still standing with its original walls intact, which is rarer than you'd think. The castle was built in 1345 and it shows, all crenellations and narrow arrow slits, the real deal rather than some romantic Victorian reconstruction. What makes it special is how complete the layout remains - you can walk around the outer walls, spot the moated defences, and actually picture what life looked like for whoever was calling the shots back then.

There's not a great deal of interior access as a rule, so this is a visit for people who enjoy architectural bones rather than period rooms and display cases. History buffs will spend a solid hour photographing the brickwork and details. It's perfectly fine as a 20-minute detour if you're exploring the Warwickshire countryside, though families with young kids might find it a bit thin on engagement. The surrounding fields are decent for a walk, and the moat still holds water in places, which adds to the atmosphere. Free to view from the outside, which is the main draw anyway. If you're camping at Nightingales Rustic Camping or Somers Wood Caravan Park nearby, it's worth a morning ramble before heading elsewhere in the region. Not a showstopper, but an honest medieval remnant that genuinely impresses.