Ringarounds

You'll find yourself standing in a field near Truro looking at what amounts to a circular ditch - which doesn't sound thrilling until you realise you're looking at a Neolithic henge dating back around 5,000 years. Ringarounds is one of Cornwall's more understated archaeological sites, and frankly, that's part of its appeal. There's no visitor centre, no crowds, just the actual earthwork itself and whatever stories you want to read into it.

What you're seeing is the remains of a ritual monument - a circular bank and ditch that once served some ceremonial purpose to Neolithic communities. The site's relatively well-preserved, and if you visit when the light's right (early morning or late afternoon), you can pick out the structure properly. It's the kind of place where standing in the middle of it, you get a genuine sense of deep time - these people gathered here when Britain was still heavily forested.

This works best for archaeology enthusiasts or anyone interested in prehistoric Britain. Kids might find it underwhelming unless they're already keen on that sort of thing - there's nothing interactive here, just landscape and imagination. Allow 20-30 minutes maximum unless you're really into photographing earthworks from different angles.

You're close to Truro itself, and several decent camping spots are nearby - Veryan Camping and Caravanning Club Site is less than two miles away if you're basing yourself in the area. The Cornish coast is only a short drive, so this works as a rainy-day diversion rather than a main event. Best visited in dry conditions when you can walk the perimeter without squelching.