Holy Trinity Church, Formby

The church sits quietly on Church Road, just inland from Formby's famous pinewoods. Holy Trinity is a proper Victorian building - all red sandstone and Gothic revival detail - built in 1839 when the village was barely more than a cluster of cottages.

Inside, the space feels genuinely contemplative rather than touristy. High ceilings, decent stained glass, and enough peace and quiet to actually hear yourself think. The nave is straightforward Anglican done well, nothing flashy, just solid craftsmanship from when builders still cared about such things.

You'll want to come here if you're the sort who finds Victorian churches interesting - the architecture tells you something about what mattered to 19th-century Lancashire folk. It's not a jaw-dropping stop like some cathedral, but it rewards a slow wander. Twenty minutes, maybe half an hour if you're reading the plaques. Free to look around, as these places usually are.

Perfect pause when you're cycling or walking through Formby itself, especially if you're based at Southport Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite six miles south. The village's real draw is the nature reserve and sandy tracks through the pines, so the church slots nicely into a proper afternoon out rather than being a destination in itself. Kids get bored quickly unless they're genuinely into old buildings, so fair warning there.