Church of St Peter and St Paul, Northleach

Walk into Northleach and you'll spot this proper medieval church right in the heart of the high street - a genuine wool merchant's church, built when the Cotswolds were absolutely minting it from the sheep trade. Inside, the thing that grabs you first is the floor. It's covered in brass memorials, some dating back to the 15th century, and they're remarkably well-preserved. You can actually make out the inscriptions and the engraved figures of merchants in their finest robes, surrounded by woolsacks. It's like stepping into a very specific moment in English history.

The church itself is spacious and light-filled, with a decent roof and enough architectural detail to keep anyone interested in medieval building techniques occupied for a while. The windows are good without being extraordinary - you're not here for stained glass spectacle. Walkers tackling the Cotswolds will appreciate it as a legitimate stop rather than a tourist tick-box, and history buffs will find the brass collection genuinely fascinating. Families with kids under ten might find twenty minutes is enough; older ones will get more from reading the stories behind individual merchants.

It's free to wander in, and frankly, Northleach itself is pleasant enough for a proper browse - proper little high street. Base yourself at Bourton-on-the-Water Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite four miles away, or try Cotswolds Meadow Glamping if you want something a bit plusher. The church is worth your time if you're in the area, though don't expect crowds or queues.