PENLEE

Penlee sits just outside Leighton Buzzard as a proper slice of medieval Buckinghamshire, though you'd be forgiven for walking straight past it. What you're looking at is the earthwork remains of a motte-and-bailey castle - basically a Norman fortification that's been flattened by eight centuries of farming and weather. The mound itself is still visible, rising from what was once someone's very serious military installation.

This isn't a day-out destination in the traditional sense. There's no visitor centre, no gift shop, no café. What you get instead is a short walk to see an archaeological site that requires a bit of imagination to bring back to life - you're essentially looking at a bump in the ground and picturing armed guards and timber palisades. Historians will find it genuinely interesting; kids under ten might manage five minutes before asking if there's anything else to do.

The real value here is as part of a walking loop around the Leighton Buzzard area. If you're staying at Hill Farm And Orchard or Wingbury Farm Glamping, both within striking distance, Penlee works as a morning mooch before heading to somewhere with more obvious attractions. Early morning or late afternoon are best - you'll avoid any farming activity and get decent light for photos.

Don't expect facilities. Bring your own map or GPS, comfortable boots, and realistic expectations about what 'historic' means when archaeology is involved.