Motte

Walking past this grassy mound near Church Stretton, you might easily dismiss it as just another hill. But look closer and you'll spot the telltale signs of Norman engineering - the steep-sided earthwork that once supported a wooden fortress nearly a thousand years ago.

What remains is the motte itself, the raised platform where a timber tower would have commanded views across the Shropshire countryside. The bailey, where horses and soldiers would have sheltered, has long since been ploughed flat, but the central mound still rises impressively from the fields. It's proper atmospheric on a misty morning.

History enthusiasts will appreciate the chance to stand where medieval lords once surveyed their domain, though there's precious little to see beyond the earthworks themselves. Families with young children might find it a bit underwhelming - it's essentially a steep grassy hill with no interpretation boards or facilities.

Allow about twenty minutes to climb up and take in the views towards the Long Mynd. It's completely free and accessible year-round, though the path can get muddy after rain.

If you're staying at one of the holiday parks around Church Stretton like Brook House Farm or Stoney Acres, it makes a decent leg-stretcher on the way to bigger attractions. Worth combining with a walk in the nearby hills rather than treating it as a destination in itself.