Ruborough Camp

An Iron Age hill fort sits on top of Ruborough Hill just outside Bridgwater, and it's one of those archaeology spots where you really do need to use your imagination. What you're actually looking at are lumps and bumps in the grass - concentric ditches and ramparts that once formed a proper defensive settlement around 2,500 years ago. The views across the Somerset Levels more than make up for the lack of standing structures.

It's a short, steep walk up from the car park, maybe fifteen minutes if you're not rushing. The fort itself sits at about 400 feet, so you get a genuine sense of the commanding position the Iron Age folk chose. On a clear day you can see for miles across the flatlands below, which explains why they built here.

History enthusiasts will get the most out of this one, though it's not exactly dramatic as archaeological sites go. No pottery shards to pick over, no guided tours, just you and the earthworks. Kids might find the climb more interesting than the actual fort - the descent's definitely more fun. Allow an hour at most, unless you're the type to sit about sketching field systems.

Free to visit, open year-round. The nearest caravan park is Secret Valley, only 1.2 miles away - a cracking base if you're exploring Somerset's archaeology trail. Bridgwater's ten minutes down the road for supplies and a decent pub meal afterwards.