Church of St Peter & St Felix

The twin dedication to St Peter and St Felix above the market town of Richmond is one of those quiet victories of medieval architecture that most visitors walk straight past. The church sits elevated on its own, which means you get proper views across the Swale valley while approaching it - the kind of thing that makes you understand why someone planted a church here in the first place.

Inside, there's solid stonework and the sort of atmosphere that comes from centuries of use without too much Victorian meddling. The chancel and nave feel spacious rather than cramped, and if you're interested in medieval craftsmanship you'll spend longer than you'd expect picking out details. For walkers tackling the trails around Richmond, it's worth the short detour from town - adds maybe twenty minutes to your afternoon.

This works best for people who actually like looking at old buildings rather than ticking boxes. If you're expecting stained glass drama or a reputation that precedes it, you'll be disappointed. But if you're the type who stops to read plaques and appreciates what 700 years of stone can tell you, there's something genuine here.

Richmond itself is close enough for lunch or a proper explore. If you're staying at Hewn Yorkshire, the park's only 3.2 miles away, so you could easily combine a morning here with their facilities and the broader walking around the area. No entry fee that I can find, though checking ahead before you go wouldn't hurt.