Tumulas

A cluster of Bronze Age burial mounds sits quietly in the Hampshire countryside near Alton, largely overlooked by the coach tours heading to bigger attractions. Tumulas is exactly what it says - a series of ancient earthworks where Iron Age and Bronze Age communities laid their dead to rest, probably between 1500 and 500 BC. There's not much in the way of signage or facilities, which is either refreshing or frustrating depending on your mood. You'll find grass-covered humps in a field, and if you're into archaeology, your imagination does the heavy lifting to picture the ceremonies that took place here millennia ago.

Walkers get the most out of this one. It's not a destination in itself - you won't spend more than half an hour here - but it works brilliantly as a stop on a longer ramble through the Alton area. Families with older kids interested in history will find it interesting, though younger children might struggle to see why a few bumps in a field warrant a detour. Photography types will appreciate the moody light across open ground, particularly in late afternoon.

The site is free to visit and accessible year-round, though winter walks can be muddy. Combine it with a stay at Feather Down Manor Farm just 3.5 miles away - the rural setting suits the mood perfectly. Alternatively, Wigwam Holidays or Adhurst Yurts offer a more unusual base for exploring this corner of Hampshire. Best approached as part of a broader walking holiday rather than a standalone visit.