Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Arnos Grove

The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes sits in Arnos Grove, a quiet corner of North London that most people drive straight past without noticing. Built in the 1930s, it's a striking Art Deco structure - all clean lines and cream-coloured brick - which alone makes it worth a look if you're into twentieth-century architecture. Inside, the interior has that particular hush that older Catholic churches possess, with some decent stained glass and a genuine sense of space that feels almost austere compared to the ornate Victorian chapels you'll find elsewhere.

The church works best for architecture enthusiasts and anyone with a genuine interest in mid-century religious buildings rather than casual visitors. You won't spend more than twenty minutes inside unless you're the contemplative type, which is fine - it's more of a detour than a destination. Free entry, naturally. If you're staying at Theobalds Park or The Mimms Caravan Park, it's close enough for a morning potter about before heading elsewhere, though neither park is particularly positioned as a holiday hot-spot. The surrounding area is residential and fairly unremarkable, so treat this as a quick cultural tick rather than something to build an afternoon around. Best visited midweek when it's quietest.