Formby Methodist Church

Formby's Methodist chapel sits quietly on the edge of this Lancashire village, a modest Victorian building that tells you quite a lot about 19th-century nonconformist life. The church itself is straightforward - red brick, decent proportions, the kind of functional architecture that appeals if you're interested in how ordinary communities organised their worship away from the established church.

You won't spend hours here, but that's not the point. It's worth a brief stop if you're already exploring Formby village or doing the coastal walk between here and Southport. The interior (assuming it's open) shows typical Methodist restraint - no fussy decoration, focus on the pulpit and the word rather than grand ornamentation.

This works best for people with a genuine interest in religious history or those doing a proper ramble through the village itself. Children won't find much to engage them, and it's not a destination attraction in itself. The real draw of Formby is the nature reserve and the pine forests anyway.

If you're based at Southport Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite just down the road, it's a gentle detour on a morning walk before tackling the dunes. Formby village has some decent shops and cafes, so you can make an afternoon of it without feeling like you're padding out an itinerary. Check locally what times the church is actually open - these places can be locked outside services.