Vindomora

You won't find much to look at when you arrive at Vindomora, just fields and the occasional stone marker near Consett. But that's rather the point. This is what remains of a Roman fort that once guarded the Dere Street, the military highway connecting York to Scotland, and it's the kind of place that rewards imagination more than Instagram moments.

The site itself covers considerable ground - the fort would have housed around 500 soldiers during its occupation from around AD 180 to 410 - but what's visible now is mostly earthworks and the odd foundation stone. You're essentially walking the ghost of a settlement, tracing where the barrack blocks and granaries stood nearly two millennia ago. Archaeology types will find it genuinely interesting; casual visitors might feel slightly underwhelmed unless they're prepared to do some research beforehand.

There's no visitor centre or facilities that we can establish, so treat this as a proper walking expedition rather than a destination. Allow 45 minutes to an hour to explore properly, longer if you're the sort who reads every historical marker. It's free to access, though you'll need to ask locally in Consett for exact access routes and the best viewing points.

If you're staying at Valley View Camping, Hidden Retreat Glamping, or any of the surrounding parks - and they're all within spitting distance - Vindomora fits neatly into a day exploring Roman County Durham. Combine it with a walk along the Dere Street itself and you've got a proper history afternoon. Best visited in dry weather when the ground's firm underfoot.