tumulus

Standing on this grassy mound just outside Blackburn, you might wonder what all the fuss is about. This Bronze Age burial chamber - a proper tumulus - looks like nothing more than a hill to the untrained eye, but there's something rather moving about knowing you're standing above someone who was laid to rest here over 3,000 years ago.

Archaeology enthusiasts will appreciate the significance of this ancient monument, though frankly, there's not much to see beyond the earthwork itself. No interpretation boards, no excavated chambers on display - just you, the mound, and a good helping of imagination. The walk to reach it is pleasant enough through Lancashire countryside, and on a clear day you'll get decent views across the Ribble Valley.

Families with young children might find it a bit anticlimactic after the trek. History buffs, however, will relish the connection to our prehistoric past. Allow about an hour for the visit including the walk, and it's probably best tackled as part of a longer day out exploring the area around Clitheroe.

If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Pendle View or the Clitheroe Camping site, it makes for a worthy morning excursion before heading to more substantial attractions. Just don't expect Stonehenge - this is archaeology for purists.