Christchurch

The church itself is a proper medieval structure - all soaring stonework and stained glass - but what catches you first is how it sits in Spalding itself, anchoring the town like something from a different century. Christchurch is one of those parish churches that repays a proper look, the kind where you can actually spend time reading the memorials and spotting the architectural details without feeling rushed.

History types will find plenty to latch onto here. There's real medieval work in the fabric of the place, and the kind of accumulated stories you get in a church that's been in continuous use for centuries. If you're not deep into ecclesiastical architecture, though, an hour is probably your lot - it's rewarding but not enormous.

The town of Spalding itself is worth a wander while you're here, particularly if you time it right for the Tulip Festival in spring. It's got the kind of market-town charm that works better for adults than children, unless your kids are genuinely interested in old buildings.

If you're staying at The Lawns just up the road, or Delph Bank or Laurel Park, Christchurch makes a quick detour on a morning or late afternoon walk. It slots nicely into a broader exploration of the Fens - no drama to get there, and it gives you a sense of how these towns were built around their religious centres. Free to visit, naturally.