Linton Free Church

A modest Victorian chapel standing just outside Cambridge, Linton Free Church is the sort of place you'd walk past without a second glance - unless you're the kind of traveller who stops to look at proper old buildings. Built in the 1800s, it's a straightforward example of nonconformist architecture: red brick, simple lines, the sort of Methodist or Baptist chapel you find scattered across England's villages.

Inside, it's all original woodwork and period details that transport you back to when this was the social hub of a rural parish. The congregation was serious about their faith and their craftsmanship - you can see it in every pew and panel. It's not cathedral-grand, but it's genuine.

Really, this works best as a quick diversion if you're cycling or walking through the Cambridgeshire countryside rather than a destination trip. History buffs and architecture enthusiasts will find it worthwhile; families might find twenty minutes enough. The village of Linton itself has a pleasant high street and is only a short drive from Cambridge if you're based at somewhere like HappenOak Treehouse, a treehouse park three miles away.

Check locally before visiting - opening hours aren't always reliable for village churches, and you may need to contact the church directly or catch it during a service. Best visited on a weekday morning when the light comes through the windows properly. Free to enter, naturally.