Houghton Regis Baptist Church

The red-brick chapel on the High Street in Houghton Regis isn't the sort of place that'll take up your whole afternoon, but if you're passing through Dunstable or based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Merlin Farm Camping is only a few miles away - it's worth a quick look. Built in the 19th century, this Baptist chapel has that solid, unpretentious charm you find in a lot of English nonconformist churches: proper craftsmanship in the brickwork, a bit of Victorian character, nothing flashy.

You're really looking at an exterior visit unless there's a service on. The architecture tells you more than you'll get from a guidebook anyway - the style says a lot about the community that built it. It's the sort of place that matters to local history buffs rather than casual tourists, to be honest. If you're interested in Victorian religious life or the architectural quirks of Hertfordshire towns, you'll get something from it. Families with small kids probably won't linger long.

The location works well if you're combining it with time at Woodlands Caravan and Motorhome Touring Site or exploring the Chiltern Hills properly. Dunstable itself has more obvious attractions, but Houghton Regis rewards those willing to look beyond the main drag. Worth ten minutes when you're in the area, but don't go out of your way specially.