Nine Stones Circle (Nine Maidens or 17 brothers)

A circle of nine granite stones standing on Dartmoor near Exeter - that's it, really. No visitor centre, no interpretation board, just nine weathered rocks in a field doing what they've done for around 3,500 years. The locals have called them the Nine Maidens, though there's a competing story about 17 brothers, which tells you something about how little we actually know.

You'll find them on moorland that feels properly remote despite being only a few miles from civilization. The stones themselves are modest - nothing like Stonehenge - but there's something about the setting that works. Stand among them on a clear day and the view across Dartmoor is proper expansive. On a grey afternoon, it feels altogether more atmospheric, which honestly might be the better time to visit.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's not a destination in itself - allow 20 minutes if you're just having a look - but it slots nicely into a longer moorland walk. Families with young children might find it underwhelming unless they're already keen on Bronze Age archaeology. History types will appreciate the mystery of it all, even if there's nothing official to read.

Free to access, and you'll need your own transport to reach it. If you're staying at Woodland Springs Touring Park nearby, this makes for an easy morning detour before heading elsewhere on Dartmoor. Bring a decent map or use your phone - signposting is minimal. Worth the detour if you're in the area, but don't plan a trip solely around it.