Restormel Castle

The ruins sit on a high mound overlooking the River Fowey valley, and from a distance Restormel looks properly dramatic - a Norman keep ringed by substantial earthworks. It's one of Cornwall's most intact castles, which means you actually get a sense of how these places functioned, rather than wandering round scattered stones trying to imagine walls.

Walking the perimeter takes about twenty minutes if you're not rushing. The views across the valley are genuinely good, especially on a clear day when you can see right down towards Lostwithiel. The keep itself is accessible enough, though there's a fair climb up the motte to reach it. Kids will either love scrambling round the banks and exploring the interior or get bored within ten minutes - depends on the child, really.

It's free to wander the grounds, which is a plus. The nearest base is Maudlin, just a couple of miles away, and if you're camping nearby at Eden Valley or The Camping Field, this makes for a decent afternoon outing that won't cost you a penny. Pair it with a walk down to Lostwithiel and you've got a proper half-day sorted. Go when the light's softer - late afternoon is when those earthworks cast proper shadows and the whole thing feels less like a school trip destination. Allow an hour if you want to actually sit and soak it in rather than just tick it off.