Wakefords Copse Roman Villa (site of)

There's not much to see on the ground at Wakefords Copse - and that's rather the point. This is where a substantial Roman villa once stood, somewhere near Emsworth in Hampshire, but what you're looking at now is essentially a field with a heritage marker and your imagination doing most of the heavy lifting.

Archaeology enthusiasts will find this worthwhile, particularly if you're already exploring the Roman remains scattered across this part of Hampshire. The site itself requires a bit of detective work to locate, and there's no visitor centre or interpretation board to hold your hand. What makes it interesting is understanding that someone of considerable wealth lived here during the later Roman period - this wasn't a modest farmstead but a proper country estate.

For families, it's a quick stop rather than a destination in itself. Kids will get bored within ten minutes unless you're genuinely invested in Roman Britain. Walkers might incorporate it into a longer route around the Emsworth area, which has far more immediate appeal with its harbour and Georgian architecture.

The real value emerges when you're staying at one of the nearby parks - The Old Dairy Farm Glamping or Mill Rythe Coastal Village are close enough that you could link this with walks around Chichester Harbour and visits to better-preserved Roman sites. Check with Rowlands Castle Heritage Centre before visiting, as access and opening details aren't always straightforward. It costs nothing, but you'll need patience and a decent OS map.