Cadsonbury

Cadsonbury is an Iron Age hillfort carved out of a natural hill above the River Lynher near Callington, a single-ditched scheduled ancient monument created between the 5th and 3rd centuries BC, probably as a beacon site as well as a protected dwelling. Below it, the alder and willow carr woodland along the river is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to otters, dippers, kingfishers and the lesser butterfly orchid, with bluebells in spring and dark green fritillary butterflies around the summit. Dogs are welcome under close control, with a lead to hand because cattle graze freely around the fort, and the Trust keeps set spots open on the bank for them to paddle. Reviewers praise the riverside path and the all-round views from the top, while warning that the climb is steep and that there are no ruins to see. Tips from visitors: use the free car park just over the bridge at Newbridge, which is small, and if it is full the Trust asks you to come back later and not park on the lanes.