The Spain

The Spain is one of those historical spots that stops you in your tracks the moment you realise what you're standing at. It's a fortified position near Petersfield - a medieval stronghold that's far less famous than it deserves to be, tucked away from the usual tourist circuits.

What you get here is the chance to walk around genuine earthworks and defensive structures that date back centuries. The site itself is fairly raw - no visitor centre, no gift shop - which means you're getting the real thing rather than a sanitised version. The landscape tells the story if you're willing to read it: you can see how the defences were laid out, why this spot was chosen for protection.

Historians and anyone interested in medieval military architecture will find this genuinely rewarding. Families with patient kids will manage an hour or so here, though it's not the sort of place that'll keep under-tens entertained for long. Walkers should absolutely include it on their rounds - the surrounding countryside is proper nice and the walk to the site is pleasant enough from Petersfield.

If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby parks - Adhurst Yurts is less than two miles away, or Cedar Valley at just over four - The Spain makes a good half-morning diversion rather than a full day out. It's the sort of place you're glad you went to, even if it's brief. Free to access, no facilities to speak of, so bring water if you're making a proper walk of it.