Roundway Down Iron Age Hill Fort

The earthworks at Roundway Down tell you something straight away - Iron Age people chose their high ground carefully. This Wiltshire hill fort sits about two miles south of Calne, and what you're looking at are the remains of defensive ditches and ramparts that have survived for over two thousand years. The fort itself isn't dramatic - no standing stones, no towers - but that's rather the point. Walking the perimeter, you get a real sense of how these communities positioned themselves on the landscape, keeping watch over the surrounding valleys.

It's a proper walker's stop rather than a destination in itself. Plan on thirty minutes to an hour if you're actually exploring the site and reading the lie of the land. The views across north Wiltshire are decent enough, and on a clear day the distant chalk downland puts things in perspective. This appeals most to history enthusiasts and anyone interested in Iron Age Britain - casual visitors might find it underwhelming. Families with younger kids could manage it, but there's no visitor centre or facilities, so bring a packed lunch if you're making a day of it.

Free to access, naturally. Combine this with a stay at one of the nearby camping spots - Blackland Lakes is closest at under three miles, or push toward Devizes if you want more creature comforts. The Wiltshire downs are good walking country, so position yourself at a base and tick off several sites across a few days rather than stopping here alone.