All Saints Normanton

The church sits on a peninsula jutting into Rutland Water reservoir - a genuinely unusual sight that catches you off guard. All Saints Normanton is partially submerged, its tower rising from the water like something from a flooded village in a disaster film. It's actually still a working church, though services happen only occasionally now, and you can't wade out to it.

What makes it worth a detour from Wakefield is the sheer oddness of the thing. The building dates back to the 12th century, but the reservoir arrived in the 1970s, swallowing the entire village of Normanton. Rather than demolish the church, they raised it on a platform so it survives as this eerie, isolated monument. It's genuinely striking from the visitor centre across the water.

This isn't a place to spend hours inside - you're really here for the exterior, the photographs, and the slightly melancholy atmosphere of a church stranded in its own reservoir. Give it 30 minutes maximum. History buffs and photographers will find it compelling; small kids might find it spooky rather than interesting.

If you're based at Nostell Priory Holiday Park just up the road, it's a proper worthwhile half-hour outing. The visitor centre has facilities and there's decent walking around the water's edge. Go on a clear day when the light's good - overcast weather makes it feel rather grim. Free to view from the shore, though there may be parking charges at the visitor centre.