Church of Our Lady of the Portal & St Piran

The Church of Our Lady of the Portal stands just outside Truro, a proper medieval building that punches above its weight for a small parish church. It's not the sort of place that'll take hours - you're looking at half an hour to wander round, admire the stonework, and read the plaques - but it's exactly the kind of spot that rewards a detour if you're touring the area.

What you get is genuine medieval architecture, the sort of thing that makes you realise how long these stones have been standing. The Portal bit refers to the decorated entrance, which is worth a proper look. Inside, it's got that peaceful, slightly cold church feeling - flagstones, light streaming through old windows, the works. There's enough detail to keep architecture enthusiasts occupied, though families with restless kids might find it brief.

This sits well alongside a caravan park stay around Truro. Carnon Downs is closest at just over three miles, while Trethem Mill and Trevarth are both within five and a half miles - handy for a morning visit before heading elsewhere in Cornwall. The church is genuinely free to visit, though opening hours aren't always obvious, so you might want to check locally before turning up.

The big question: is it worth leaving the campsite for? If you're already exploring Truro or heading that way anyhow, absolutely. If you're thinking of a specific detour just for this, probably not. But as part of a morning's pootling about? Spot on.