Verterae

The Roman fort at Verterae sits on high moorland just outside Kirkby Stephen, and honestly, it's not a place you'll find hoards of tourists queuing up. What you get is the chance to walk across windswept hills and stand where a garrison of soldiers once kept watch over the Pennines - that's the real draw here.

There's not much to see in terms of standing structures; the fort has long since crumbled back into the landscape. But the earthworks are there if you know what you're looking at - the flattened outlines of buildings, ditches, and ramparts that tell you exactly how the Romans laid out their defences around 1,800 years ago. You'll need an ordnance survey map or decent research beforehand, because interpretation panels aren't a given at rural archaeology sites like this one.

It's the kind of place that suits walkers and history enthusiasts far more than families wanting a quick activity. Allow an hour or so to explore properly, longer if you're genuinely interested in Roman military logistics. The moorland walk there and back is worth doing for the views alone, especially on a clear day when you can see for miles.

Both Gillcumber Glamping Pods and Wild Rose Holiday Park are close enough for a morning excursion before heading back for lunch. Go in spring or early autumn when the weather's most forgiving - winter and wet weather make the site harder to interpret and the walk less pleasant.