Norbury Camp

The earthworks at Norbury Camp rise from the Gloucestershire countryside like a wrinkle in time - Iron Age ramparts that have stood for roughly 2,500 years. This isn't a grand visitor centre with cafe and gift shop. It's a proper archaeological site where you turn up, have a wander around the defensive ditches and banks, and let your imagination do the heavy lifting.

What you get is a hillfort in its raw state. The two concentric rings of earthwork are still clearly visible if you know what you're looking at, and they tell a straightforward story about Iron Age communities and how seriously they took their defences. The views across the Cotswold landscape are genuinely good - reason enough to make the trip even if you're not fussed about the archaeology.

History enthusiasts will find it genuinely interesting. Kids aged eight and up might get something out of it, though anyone under that will probably lose interest fairly quickly since there's nothing to climb on or interactive to do. For families based at Cotswolds Meadow Glamping or the Bourton-on-the-Water Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite, it works well as a half-hour detour on a larger walking day rather than a destination in itself.

Access appears to be free and unrestricted - you'll find it on the ground rather than marked by signage. Allow 45 minutes if you're genuinely interested in the archaeology, less if you're just after the views and a quick leg stretch. Early morning or late afternoon light does it favours. Late summer when the grass is less waterlogged beats winter by a mile.