Church of St Mary the Virgin, Alveley

The Church of St Mary the Virgin sits quietly in Alveley, a few miles from Bewdley, and it's one of those places that rewards you for bothering to find it. Built in the 12th century, the church has the solid, no-nonsense feel of medieval Shropshire - thick walls, decent stonework, and the kind of interior that makes you want to sit down and be still for a bit.

What you're looking at is essentially a working parish church that's been standing for nearly 900 years. The chancel and nave are the real deal, and if you catch it on a day when the light's coming through properly, the whole space has genuine atmosphere. It's not a show-off sort of place - there are no coach parties, no gift shop, no entrance fee. Just a church doing what churches do.

This appeals most to walkers and history types rather than families with restless kids, though if your children are the quiet sort, it's perfectly fine. You won't need more than 20 minutes here, which makes it ideal as a stop-off during a larger Shropshire outing. Both Bank Farm Holiday Park and Stanmore Hall Touring Park sit within reasonable striking distance, so it works well if you're based at either one and fancying a gentle exploration of the local villages.

Best visited on a clear day when you can actually see what you're looking at. The village itself is tiny, so park sensibly and treat it as part of a broader ramble rather than a destination in itself.