All Saints Church, Cottenham

The tower of All Saints rises above Cottenham village like a sturdy finger pointing at the Cambridgeshire sky, visible for miles across the Fens. Step inside and you're looking at proper medieval architecture - the church dates back to the 14th century, though it's been worked on plenty since then. The interior is light and airy, with some decent stained glass and the sort of calm you only get in old churches on a weekday afternoon.

It's the kind of place that rewards a slow wander rather than a quick tick-off. The tower itself is the real draw if you can access it - the views across the flat fenland are genuinely striking, and on a clear day you can see right across to distant villages. The churchyard is peaceful too, worth ten minutes just pottering about if you've got the time.

History enthusiasts will find it worthwhile. Families with younger kids might find twenty minutes enough unless they're into church architecture. It's free to visit and typically open during daylight hours, though it's worth checking locally as opening times aren't always consistent at smaller village churches.

If you're camping at Fen End Farm just over a mile away, or staying at one of the other local sites like Chittering Park or Cuckoo Fen, this makes an easy afternoon detour from Cambridge. The village itself is quiet, a proper working Fen settlement rather than somewhere prettified for tourists. Pair it with a walk around the village or a pint at the local pub and you've got a solid couple of hours sorted.