Mound 9

Standing alone in a Suffolk field, this ancient burial mound feels properly mysterious. Part of the famous Sutton Hoo complex near Woodbridge, Mound 9 is one of the smaller satellite barrows that surrounds the main ship burial site. You won't find treasure here - archaeologists excavated it decades ago - but there's something rather moving about this grassy bump in the landscape.

History enthusiasts will appreciate the connection to Anglo-Saxon royalty, though casual visitors might wonder what all the fuss is about. It's essentially a low hill covered in grass, but knowing that a 1,400-year-old warrior was buried beneath your feet does add gravitas to the spot.

The mound sits in open countryside, so wrap up warm if you're visiting in winter. There's no formal access or signage that I could see, and you'll need to walk across fields to reach it. Allow about 20 minutes if you're combining it with the main Sutton Hoo visitor centre, which is well worth doing for proper context.

Families staying at nearby parks like Moon & Sixpence or Suffolk Yurt Holidays could easily incorporate this into a historical day out, though younger children might find the main Sutton Hoo site more engaging with its replica helmet and interactive displays.