The Devil’s Den

A jumble of massive sarsen stones stands on the Marlborough Downs like something left behind by giants. The Devil's Den is a neolithic burial chamber, though frankly it looks more like a pile of rocks that's somehow survived 5,000 years of weather and indifference. You can walk right up to it, clamber over the stones if you're feeling brave, and poke your head into the chamber itself - there's something genuinely eerie about squeezing into that dark space, regardless of what archaeologists reckon actually happened here.

The spot works best for families with kids old enough to scramble about safely, and for anyone doing the Ridgeway walk who wants a proper break from the footpath. Walkers especially will appreciate it - you're on the Downs, views stretch for miles, and there's that satisfying sense of stumbling onto something ancient. Allow twenty minutes if you're just having a look, longer if you want to sit around and soak up the atmosphere.

Free to visit, no facilities whatsoever, so bring water. Go on an overcast day if possible - the light's better for photographs and the place feels less crowded in the off-season. It's about three miles from Ridgeway Campsite, which is excellent if you want to base yourself nearby. Marlborough's close enough for supplies, but honestly, once you've seen the stones, you're done. It's brilliant, but brief.