Castle Cary Methodist Church

Castle Cary's Methodist Church sits right in the heart of the market town, a solid red-brick Victorian building that speaks volumes about 19th-century nonconformist confidence. Step inside and you'll find yourself in a proper period piece - original wooden pews, a gallery upstairs, and that particular smell of old hymn books and polish that takes you straight back. The craftsmanship is genuine rather than showy, which is rather the point with Methodist chapels.

It's the sort of place that appeals most to architecture enthusiasts and anyone interested in religious history beyond the Anglican mainstream. History types doing the rounds of Somerset's industrial and religious heritage will find it worth twenty minutes of their time. Kids won't be entertained for long, mind you - this isn't a interactive experience.

Access isn't straightforward from what I can gather - you'd need to check locally whether it's open to visitors or only during services, as opening hours aren't listed anywhere obvious. Ring ahead to Castle Cary town council or the local tourist information if you want to plan a visit properly.

If you're based at Hadspen Glamping just down the road, the church is basically on your doorstep for a quick cultural interlude between countryside walks. Long Hazel Park and Sunnyhill Campsite are within striking distance too. Castle Cary itself is worth an hour's wander regardless - decent pubs, an old market square worth photographing, and the sort of quiet Georgian high street that's increasingly rare.