Rowden

The Iron Age settlement at Rowden sits on high moorland between Bodmin and the coast, and honestly, it takes some finding. You're looking at the remains of a prehistoric village - a series of circular stone foundations where roundhouses once stood, scattered across rough ground that hasn't changed much in two thousand years. The site itself is modest compared to more famous Cornish hillforts, but that's rather the point. There's no visitor centre, no café, no crowds. Just you, the wind, and the sense that people actually lived here.

Walkers will get the most from Rowden. It's not a quick tick-box stop - you need to spend time reading the landscape, trying to imagine the layout of the settlement, working out where the inhabitants grew their crops on this exposed terrain. The views across Bodmin Moor are genuinely impressive, particularly on clear days when you can see towards the coast. Allow an hour minimum, longer if you're into Iron Age settlement patterns.

The site is free to visit and accessible year-round, though winter weather can be brutal up there. Spring or early autumn works better. It pairs well with a moorland touring holiday - Camp De Lank is just 2.8 miles away and offers proper facilities without the fuss. Rowden suits people who prefer archaeology you can actually walk through rather than read about behind glass. It's not for everyone, but if you want to feel connected to ancient Cornwall rather than just see it, this is worth the detour from Bodmin.