Takfield Mill (Medieval Blowing House - Remains)

The stones are still there, scattered across a Devon hillside like something nobody quite finished tidying up. Takfield Mill is what's left of a medieval blowing house - essentially a furnace where tin was smelted centuries ago, back when this corner of Devon was actually worth mining. You won't find manicured paths or information boards explaining everything; what you get instead is the raw archaeology of the thing, bits of wall and hearth sitting among the bracken and brambles.

It's the sort of place that appeals to people who like joining the dots themselves rather than having them connected for them. Keen walkers doing a circuit around the area will spot it; history buffs will find it genuinely interesting; casual visitors might wonder what all the fuss is about. The site doesn't take long to look around - twenty minutes tops - but it's the kind of thing that changes how you think about the landscape. These weren't random medieval people: they were running an industrial operation.

Close enough to Exeter for a morning visit if you're staying in the area, and Woodland Springs Touring Park sits just a few miles away if you're basing yourself locally. Go when the weather's decent because there's little shelter, and wear proper boots because the ground can be boggy. It won't blow your mind, but it's worth a detour if you're already walking that way.