Rawcliff Howe

You'll find Rawcliff Howe on the North York Moors - a Bronze Age burial mound that's genuinely easy to walk past if you don't know what you're looking for. It's just an earthy rise in the landscape, but that's rather the point. This is archaeology in its purest form: no visitor centre, no interpretation boards, just you and a 3,500-year-old grave.

The appeal depends entirely on what you want from a walk. History enthusiasts will find it worthwhile - there's something properly humbling about standing on actual Bronze Age remains. The moor itself is the main event though. From Rawcliff Howe you get decent views across the North York Moors, and it's a solid spot if you're doing a longer circuit around Pickering.

It's free and accessible year-round, though the moors can be boggy in winter. Allow an hour or so if you're making it part of a bigger walk. Don't expect crowds or facilities - bring water and decent footwear. Kids will find it bit underwhelming unless they're genuinely into prehistory, but for walkers based at Lakeside Caravan Park or Cliff Farm Holidays near Pickering, it makes a decent morning excursion without much planning required.

The moors around here are brilliant for walking, and Rawcliff Howe sits well within a broader itinerary. Go for the landscape, not the archaeo-tourism. That's where its real value lies.