Shaw house Lathe

The earthworks at Shaw House Lathe, just outside Skipton, are the sort of thing you walk past without realising what you're looking at. Medieval ridge and furrow patterns, banking, and what archaeologists reckon are the remains of a substantial farmstead - it's all there in the landscape if you know where to look. The site sits in proper Yorkshire Dales country, rolling fields where centuries of farming have literally shaped the ground beneath your feet.

Historically minded visitors and walkers will find this genuinely interesting, though you'll want to do your homework first. Without interpretation boards or a visitor centre, it's very much a case of reading the land yourself. The appeal lies in understanding how medieval communities actually lived and worked - this wasn't a grand manor, but evidence of real agricultural life. You could spend twenty minutes here or an hour depending on how deep you want to go into the archaeology.

Free to visit, as far as we can tell, since it's an open archaeological site. The nearest camping options are excellent - Coxons Farm Glamping Pods sits practically on your doorstep at 0.6 miles, while Wharfedale and Wood Nook caravan parks give you more conventional base camps within easy driving. Bolton Abbey Estate, five miles south, rounds out the accommodation and puts you in the heart of Wharfedale walking country.

Worth a detour if you're already exploring the Dales? Absolutely. A dedicated trip from miles away? That depends whether you're the sort who gets excited about medieval field systems. Either way, it works perfectly alongside the proper attractions of the area.