Turret

You'll spot Turret standing alone on the North Yorkshire moorland - a proper medieval tower that's survived centuries of weather and neglect. It's all that remains of what was once a substantial castle, and honestly, that's what makes it compelling. There's something about a solitary stone keep that tells you more about medieval life than a fully restored fortress ever could.

The tower itself is roughly circular, built from local stone that's weathered to a soft grey-brown. You can walk right up to it across open countryside, which takes about ten minutes from the nearest road. The views across the moors towards Northallerton are worth the short walk alone. Inside, there's not much - it's unstable, so you can't actually climb it - but you get a real sense of how defensible these positions were. Walkers love it because it's an excellent spot to break a longer moorland ramble, and history types will appreciate the isolation and the reminder that not every castle ended up as a tourist attraction.

It's free to visit, naturally, and there's no formal opening hours since there's nowhere to open or close. Bring proper boots though - the ground can be boggy, especially after rain. Allow half an hour for a visit if you're making a special trip, though most people slot it into a wider walk.

If you're staying at Whorlton Pods nearby, Turret makes an easy morning excursion. It's the sort of place that rewards turning up in mist or low autumn light rather than peak summer.