North Tawton Roman Fort

The earthworks at North Tawton are what remain of a Roman fort that once guarded this corner of Devon, and honestly, it takes a bit of imagination to see what was once here. You're looking at subtle banks and ditches in the landscape rather than stonework - the kind of thing that makes sense once someone's explained it, but could easily pass you by on a country walk.

The fort itself dates to around 70 AD and would have housed soldiers watching over this strategic stretch of the south-west. What you see now are the defensive ditches and ramparts, arranged in that characteristic playing-card shape the Romans favoured. It's free to visit and takes maybe twenty minutes if you're actually paying attention, longer if you're trying to mentally reconstruct the garrison buildings.

This appeals mainly to archaeology enthusiasts or anyone with a genuine interest in Roman Britain - families with younger children might find it a bit dry without proper interpretation on site. The setting is pleasant enough, rolling Devon countryside, but there's no visitor centre or signage to speak of. You'll need to know what you're looking for.

If you're basing yourself at Woodland Springs Touring Park, it's only a short drive away, making it an easy addition to a Devon holiday. Pair it with a visit to Exeter - the Roman city itself is proper worth a day trip, with actual museums and the underground passages. North Tawton works as a companion visit if you've got the time and the interest, but I wouldn't travel far out of your way for it alone.