Someries Castle

A crumbling red-brick tower on the edge of Dunstable tells the story of Tudor ambition gone to seed. Someries Castle isn't actually a castle in the dramatic sense - it's a fortified manor house, built around 1460 by Sir John de la Pole, and what remains today is essentially the gatehouse, standing slightly defiant against five centuries of weather and neglect.

You can walk right up to it, which is the main appeal. The brick itself is beautiful - that particular shade of burnt orange you only see in medieval East Anglian buildings - and the arrow slits and crenellations tell you this was built for defense, even if it never saw actual combat. Inside, there's not much: a few scattered stones, a handful of interpretive boards, and plenty of imagination required. The staircase spiral survives, creeping up the interior like something from a ghost story.

This works best for walkers and history types rather than families expecting an afternoon's entertainment. Kids will get bored after fifteen minutes unless they're genuinely into medieval architecture. Allow half an hour, tops, unless you're the sort who enjoys sitting on the grass reading every historical plaque.

It's free to visit and accessible year-round, though spring and autumn are kinder to the experience than soggy winter visits. From Merlin Farm Camping or Woodlands Caravan Site - both within easy driving distance near Whipsnade - Someries makes a perfectly decent add-on to a Hertfordshire park holiday. Worth a detour if you're already in Dunstable, but don't plan a trip around it.