Childerley Hall Chapel

The chapel at Childerley Hall sits in the grounds of a private Cambridgeshire estate a few miles east of Cambridge, and it's one of those places that rewards a bit of detective work to visit. Built in the 17th century, it's a proper architectural gem - the kind of small, elegant chapel that tells you far more about its era than any grand cathedral could manage.

Inside, you'll find ornate plasterwork that's genuinely impressive, along with period details that make you understand how the gentry actually worshipped when they had the resources to do it right. The proportions are intimate rather than imposing, which gives it a different feel from the famous colleges back in Cambridge town.

Access can be tricky since it's on private land. You'll need to contact ahead or look for organised access days - not something you can just turn up to, unfortunately. That said, if you're based at Crystal Lakes Leisure five or so miles away and fancying a proper architectural detour, it's worth the effort to sort out visiting permissions. Allow an hour, maybe ninety minutes if you're genuinely into 17th-century craftsmanship.

It's more for the architecture enthusiast than the casual day-tripper, but if you're that person - the kind who notices plastering and appreciates what skilled craftsmen could achieve without modern tools - you'll find this rewarding. Cambridge itself has larger attractions, but this chapel offers something more intimate and, frankly, more interesting.