Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. George

The dual dedication to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. George makes this Waltham Cross church unusual from the start. It's a proper working parish church, not some dusty museum piece, so you'll find actual services running alongside the occasional curious visitor poking around the pews.

What you're looking at is a Catholic church with real character - the sort of place where the architecture tells you something about the community that built it. The interior has that peaceful, slightly worn-in feel of somewhere genuinely used. St. George's cross appears throughout, naturally enough, while the Mt. Carmel dedication brings in that Marian tradition. If you know your Catholic iconography, there's enough here to hold your attention for a solid half-hour.

This works best for anyone with a genuine interest in ecclesiastical architecture or Catholic heritage rather than casual church-spotters. Families with young children might find it a bit quiet for extended visits. The location, just outside Waltham Cross, makes it manageable as a stop-off if you're camping in the Lee Valley area - the campsite at Sewardstone is only a few miles away, as is Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park near Edmonton.

Go on a weekday morning if you can. It's less likely you'll be interrupting anything, and the light through the windows actually improves the whole atmosphere. Check ahead for opening times and service schedules - this isn't a tourist attraction first, so weekday access can be variable. Entry should be free, assuming it's open, but that's worth confirming beforehand.