Roborough Castle (Iron Age Hill Fort)

Walk up to Roborough and you're looking at proper Iron Age credentials - ramparts, ditches, the lot. The hill fort itself sits about 300 metres up near Ilfracombe, and the views across North Devon as you climb are genuinely worth the effort. You're not looking at reconstructed walls or visitor centres here; it's archaeology in the raw, the kind of place where you can read the landscape like a book if you know what you're looking at.

The site works for anyone with an interest in prehistory, but equally it's a solid walk for families who want something beyond the standard park stroll. Kids won't find much to do once they reach the top - there's no playground or interpretation - but the scramble up and the commanding position usually grip them. Allow 45 minutes to an hour from the car park, depending on fitness and how often you stop to catch your breath.

It's free, which is always good news, and open year-round in the way hill forts are. Spring and early summer are best - the views don't get obscured by vegetation that way, and the walk stays pleasant rather than muddy. If you're based at HARTA Retreat or one of the other glamping spots nearby, it's a cracking morning activity before heading into Ilfracombe proper for lunch. Fits neatly into a longer North Devon itinerary without derailing your day.