Moated Mound

There's a slight earthwork near Stafford that most people drive straight past without realising what they're looking at. The Moated Mound is one of those sites that rewards the curious - a genuine Norman fortification with proper defensive ditches, even if it's not exactly dramatic at first glance.

What you get is a raised mound surrounded by a water-filled moat, the sort of thing medieval lords threw up when they needed to look important but didn't have the budget for a full castle. You can walk around it easily enough, and the moat still holds water in places, which gives the whole thing a bit of presence. It's the kind of spot where you can actually picture the medieval settlement that would have clustered around it.

This is one for history types who like piecing together the landscape, not for anyone expecting towers or turrets. Kids might find it interesting for twenty minutes - there's climbing potential and water to peer into - but it won't hold attention for long. Allow half an hour, maybe forty minutes if you're thorough.

If you're staying at Pillaton Hall Farm nearby, it's an easy detour on the way to Stafford town itself. Worth combining with other historical walks in the area rather than as a destination on its own. Free, as far as I can tell, and you won't need to book anything. Go when the ground's not waterlogged - winter visits mean soggy boots.