Uffington Castle

The ramparts are still there, running along the hilltop like an ancient fingerprint across the landscape. Uffington Castle isn't a castle in any traditional sense - it's an Iron Age fort, maybe 3,000 years old, and what you're actually walking through are the defensive ditches and banks that once kept people safe from whatever threats existed back then. The views across Oxfordshire are tremendous, and on a clear day you can see right across the Vale of White Horse.

It's a short walk from the car park - nothing strenuous - and you can explore the earthworks properly in about 45 minutes, though walkers often spend longer just soaking in the panorama. The site's free, which is just as well because there's nothing here in terms of facilities or interpretation boards. You need to bring your own knowledge or download something beforehand.

Families with older kids will get more from it than younger ones. There's climbing involved, and if you're just after a simple play-around kind of day, this might feel a bit thin. But if you're interested in archaeology or Iron Age history, it's genuinely worth the detour from Wantage. The proximity to Evelyns Garden Glamping and Nordic Glamping at Botswicky makes it an easy add-on to a wider park holiday exploring the Cotswolds. Go in autumn when the light's lower and the view less hazy.