The Earthworks

Iron Age ramparts rise out of the Surrey countryside near Warlingham like the fossilised memory of something fierce and long forgotten. The Earthworks is what remains of a settlement that thrived here two thousand years ago - and honestly, it's more impressive than you might expect when you first arrive.

The site itself is essentially a series of defensive ditches and banks, still pronounced enough to give you a real sense of scale. You can walk the perimeter and trace the outline of what would have been a proper fortification. It's the kind of place where you start imagining the people who lived here, what they were defending against, why they chose this particular hilltop. The views across the valley aren't bad either.

Walkers will get the most from it. Bring proper shoes - it gets muddy - and give yourself an hour to work around the site without rushing. Families with older kids will find it engaging enough, though younger ones might lose interest once they've clambered on the banks a few times. If you're into archaeology or Iron Age Britain, this is absolutely worth the detour from Warlingham town.

It's free to visit and accessible year-round, though winter means everything's rather damp and overgrown. Late spring is actually better - clearer sightlines, easier walking. If you're staying at Milberry Green Meadows nearby, the Earthworks makes a solid half-day outing that doesn't require any planning or booking.