Church of St Mary the Virgin, Badby

The stone tower of St Mary the Virgin rises above the village of Badby like something from a watercolour - all honey-coloured Northamptonshire limestone and proper medieval charm. Inside, the church is a working mix of Norman and Perpendicular work, with some genuinely lovely 14th-century features that reward a slow look around.

It's the kind of place that appeals most to church enthusiasts and anyone interested in village history rather than casual tourists after a photo stop. The churchyard itself is pleasant enough for a wander, and the setting within Badby village feels genuinely quiet and tucked away - you're only a few miles south of Daventry, but it feels properly rural.

The real draw here is combining it with the excellent campsites nearby. Whitefeather Campsite is literally on your doorstep at 0.2 miles, making this a convenient morning walk before breakfast. If you're staying at Hideaway Wood Farm's alpaca glamping setup or Coleman's Hill a bit further out, St Mary's works well as part of a quiet day exploring the village, though honestly you won't need more than 30 minutes inside the church itself.

Admission appears to be free - you'll just push open the door and have a look. There's no visitor infrastructure, no tea shop, no interpretation boards. That's rather the point. It's genuine and unhurried, the kind of small medieval church that exists for the village, not for tourism. Worth the detour if you're staying locally and like that sort of thing. Skip it if you need bells, whistles, or guaranteed opening hours.