Basillica

The Basilica in St Albans is one of England's most imposing medieval structures, and stepping through its doors genuinely stops you in your tracks. This is where pilgrims came for centuries - the shrine of St Alban, England's first Christian martyr, drew crowds from across the country during the Middle Ages. The sheer scale of the place hits you immediately. Soaring arches, that distinctive pinkish stone, and windows that flood the interior with light make it feel both grand and surprisingly intimate.

What makes it worthwhile is the layering of history. You can see the Norman architecture underneath later medieval additions, and the shrine itself - rebuilt after the Reformation dismantled it - tells the story of English faith and changing fortunes. Expect to spend a good hour wandering about, especially if you're the type to read the boards and sit quietly in a side chapel for a bit. It's absorbing for anyone interested in medieval England, architecture, or religious history. Families with older children will find enough to engage them; younger kids might find it a touch dull unless they're into the gruesome bits (St Alban did get beheaded, after all).

If you're based at Frogmore Park Homes just 2.5 miles away, or Cherry Green Trees a bit further out, the Basilica slots perfectly into a St Albans town day. Free to enter, which is generous. Go mid-week if you can - weekends bring coach groups. Allow three hours if you're combining it with the town's decent high street and decent cafes.