POW Camp

The remains of a Second World War prisoner of war camp sit quietly on the outskirts of Exeter, a sobering reminder of what happened on English soil during the conflict. What you'll find here are the actual foundations and structures where German and Italian prisoners were held - not a museum with polished displays, but the genuine archaeological bones of the place itself.

It's the sort of site that appeals most to history buffs and anyone with a serious interest in wartime Britain. Kids might struggle to connect with it unless they're already fascinated by the 1940s; there's no dramatic reconstruction or interactive elements, just earth, stone, and the weight of what occurred. Allow an hour if you're genuinely interested, less if you're just passing through.

The big advantage is that it costs nothing and you can visit freely. That said, facilities are minimal - there's no visitor centre or on-site café - so come prepared. Best visited outside school holidays when it's less crowded, and the surrounding countryside is worth a wander either way.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Castle Brake is closest at four miles, or Cuckoo Down Farm just over five miles away - it's a worthwhile half-day addition to a broader Exeter trip. Pair it with the city's cathedral and Roman walls for a proper historical sweep. Don't expect flashy interpretation; expect instead to stand on ground that matters and imagine the reality of what was.