Church of the Precious Blood and All Souls

The Church of the Precious Blood and All Souls sits in Warwickshire with the kind of quiet dignity you find in places that have been ticking along for centuries without needing to shout about it. It's a proper working parish church, the sort where you half expect to find someone arranging flowers or polishing brasses when you slip through the door.

What makes it worth the visit is the medieval fabric - the church has real age to it, with architectural details that reward a slow walk round. The interior has that particular smell of old stone and candle wax that does something to your head. History enthusiasts will find plenty to occupy an hour, picking out the Norman or Early English features depending on which bits of the building took their fancy over the centuries.

It's free to visit, though specific opening times aren't widely publicised - ring ahead or check locally when you're based at one of the nearby parks. Somers Wood Caravan Park, just five or six miles away near Coventry, makes a sensible base if you're combining this with a broader exploration of the region. You won't need more than an hour here unless you're the type to sit quietly in the pews for a bit.

Families with young children might find it short on interactive content - there's no visitor centre or café - but older kids interested in buildings will get something from it. It's the kind of place that appeals to people who like their churches un-fussed and genuine rather than tourism-ready. If you're in the area anyhow, it's absolutely worth a detour.