The Tump

A grassy mound rising abruptly from the flatlands east of Peterborough, The Tump is an Iron Age hill fort - though calling it a hill might be generous on ground this level. It's essentially a raised earthwork with ditches, the kind of place that makes you squint and try to imagine what it meant when it was new, perhaps two thousand years ago.

You can walk right up to it and around it, which takes about ten minutes if you're not lingering. The view from the top is genuinely decent - you get a proper sense of the surrounding fenland, and on a clear day it's worth the mild scramble. Children tend to enjoy the clambering aspect more than the historical side of things; the fort itself won't hold their attention for hours.

It's free, obviously, and there's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of. Go when it's been dry - after heavy rain the slopes get boggy. Best approached in spring or early autumn when the grass is manageable and you're not roasting.

If you're based at Ferry Meadows Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite or Nene Outdoors - both a couple of miles away - The Tump makes a decent short outing to break up a caravan day. It's not going to be the highlight of your week, but it's a proper Iron Age fort and if you're into that sort of archaeology, it's worth a look. Peterborough itself has far better museums if you want the full story.