Christ Church Dunstable

The church sits right in Dunstable town centre, a proper medieval building that's been standing there since the 12th century. Inside, you'll find decent perpendicular architecture, some fine windows, and the sort of quiet that makes you actually feel the weight of all those centuries. It's the kind of place where you can properly breathe for ten minutes.

This works best for architecture enthusiasts and anyone who likes wandering through old buildings without the crowds you'd get at a cathedral. Families with restless kids might find twenty minutes is enough. It's free to visit, though hours can be vague - best to call ahead or try your luck on a weekday morning when these places tend to be open.

If you're camping at Merlin Farm near Whipsnade, you're only a couple of miles away, so it's easily done as a quick stop between the zoo and the Chiltern Hills walks. Even Woodlands, further out at 3.6 miles, isn't far if you're basing yourself there. It won't take long - maybe thirty minutes for a proper look around - but combined with a wander through Dunstable's high street or a drive up to the Downs nearby, it fills a gap nicely on a rainy afternoon. Worth the detour? Only if you're already in town. As a special trip from the caravan? Probably not on its own.