Summer Hill

Summer Hill sits on the outskirts of Harrogate as one of those archaeological finds that doesn't shout about itself. It's an Iron Age fort - basically a series of defensive earthworks that once ringed a settlement, though what you actually see now are grassy humps and dips rather than anything dramatic. The site covers a fair chunk of open land, so you'll be doing a bit of walking to piece together what was here two thousand years ago.

This is really one for the archaeology enthusiast or anyone who enjoys connecting landscape to history. Kids might find it a bit abstract - there are no structures to climb on or interpret, just contours in the grass and a sense of scale. That said, the views across the surrounding countryside are genuinely good, and the walk itself is pleasant enough.

Getting here from Harrogate takes about twenty minutes. It's free to visit, and you can spend as long as you like, though realistically forty minutes covers it properly unless you're seriously into Iron Age settlement patterns. Best visited after rain when the earthworks show up better against the wet grass.

If you're based at Windmill Retreats nearby, it makes a reasonable morning excursion before heading into Harrogate proper for lunch. Don't expect signage or facilities - bring a map or download the location beforehand.