Banham Church, St Mary's

The flint walls of St Mary's in Banham have stood for nearly a thousand years, and walking in on a quiet afternoon you can feel that weight of time. The church sits just outside Norwich's sprawl, making it an easy detour if you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Applewood Countryside Holidays.

What strikes you first is the Norman architecture - sturdy and honest, nothing fancy. The chancel is Victorian work, but it doesn't jar. Inside, there's a proper sense of calm. The windows aren't showstoppers like you'd find in the cathedral, but they do the job. You'll spend maybe 20 minutes here unless you're really into medieval masonry, in which case there's plenty to pore over - look closely at the stonework and you get a real sense of the craftsmanship that went into this.

It's the sort of place walkers and history types will appreciate more than families with young children, though there's nothing stopping you from bringing kids - it's peaceful and there's usually room to move about. The churchyard is worth a wander too if the weather's decent.

Free to visit, as most parish churches are. Best call ahead to check opening times if you're planning a specific visit - rural Norfolk churches can be temperamental about their hours. If you're basing yourself at Wild With Nature or Applewood, this makes an easy morning's outing before lunch in the village.