Church of St Martin, Wharram Percy

Walking out across the Wolds towards Wharram Percy feels like stepping backwards in time - the grey stone church stands almost alone in a valley where a whole medieval village once thrived. The Church of St Martin is what remains of a settlement that was quietly abandoned centuries ago, making it one of England's most atmospheric deserted villages.

What you're looking at is a proper survivor. The church itself dates back to Norman times, with later medieval additions, and it's been left largely as it was when the community dwindled away. The chancel and nave still stand, the walls are solid, and there's enough detail left to get a real sense of what worship here must have felt like 800 years ago. You can still see traces of the village around it - earthwork ridges where houses once stood, the layout of streets frozen in the landscape.

Historians and archaeology enthusiasts will spend a good hour here picking through the layers. Walkers will appreciate it as a proper destination hike across the Yorkshire Wolds from Driffield - it's not a quick pop-in. Families with older kids might find it interesting, though it's fairly bare and there's no visitor facilities to speak of, so come prepared.

It's free to visit and best tackled on foot rather than by car. The approach across open downland is honestly half the appeal. Spring and early summer work well when the valley's not waterlogged. If you're camping at Seaways Glamping just down the road, this makes a worthwhile morning walk.