Our Lady and St Patrick Catholic Church

Red sandstone rises sharp against the Cumbrian sky on the High Street in Maryport, and you'll spot Our Lady and St Patrick before you've even properly arrived in town. It's a proper Victorian church - built with the kind of solidity that makes you understand why it's still standing firm more than 150 years later. The interior is calm and contemplative, with the sort of light that filters through stained glass and makes you want to sit quietly for a bit, whether you're religious or just appreciative of good architecture.

The church works well as part of a wider wander through Maryport itself. The town's got real character - a working port, a decent maritime heritage, and enough independent cafes to justify stopping for lunch. It's the kind of place where half an hour inside the church fits naturally into a morning's exploration, not something that demands hours of your time. Families won't find it dull if you've got kids who can manage a bit of stillness; the stained glass usually keeps them entertained for a few minutes at least.

If you're based at Harbour Side Caravan Park just down the road, you're minutes away on foot. Even Castle Guards Farm Retreat, a few miles inland, makes this an easy addition to a Cumbrian caravan holiday. Free to enter, naturally. Go when you fancy - there's no real season for it, though a clear day does justice to the sandstone's colour.