Church of St Thomas of Canterbury, Cothelstone

The Church of St Thomas of Canterbury sits on a hillside near Bridgwater, its stone tower rising above the Somerset countryside in a way that makes you understand why medieval builders chose this spot. Step inside and you're immediately struck by the scale - it's surprisingly grand for a village church, with proper nave columns and windows that catch the light beautifully across the pews.

This is a working parish church, so opening times vary with services and the whims of whoever holds the keys. That said, if you can get in, it's worth the effort. The interior has genuine medieval bones beneath later Victorian fussing, and there's something satisfying about tracing the actual history through the architecture rather than reading about it on a board.

It suits church-spotters and anyone with a taste for rural Somerset rather than casual visitors after a quick look. Give yourself twenty minutes to have a proper poke around - you'll need more time if you're the sort who reads every memorial.

If you're based at Middle Stone Farm Glamping a few miles off, this makes a decent leg-stretcher on a local drive. The surrounding hills and lanes around Cothelstone are pleasant for walking, though the church itself isn't a destination that'll fill an afternoon. Combine it with exploring nearby villages or a longer ramble across the Somerset levels. Ring ahead locally in Bridgwater to check if there's a service scheduled - turning up to find the door locked is bit frustrating.