Our Lady's Catholic Church

The red-brick Victorian church sits quietly on the edge of Amersham, unremarkable from the road until you step inside and find yourself in a proper little sanctuary of peace. Our Lady's is a 19th-century Catholic chapel - surprisingly grand for its modest exterior - with that particular smell of old wood and candle wax that makes churches feel instantly timeless. The interior is the draw here: stained glass catching afternoon light, ornate fixtures that speak to someone's genuine faith, and the kind of stillness you rarely find in a busy commuter town.

It's not a major attraction in the guide-book sense. You're looking at twenty minutes maximum, unless you're the contemplative type. But if you're staying at Lights Camera Glamping nearby or any of the other parks within a few miles - Whelpley Hill, Penn Meadow Farm - and you fancy a proper walk through Amersham's older quarter, this is worth a diversion. Families with restless kids might find it brief and a bit formal, but anyone who enjoys Victorian architecture or simply wants to sit quietly will appreciate it.

Always worth checking opening times before you visit - churches aren't always accessible, and you'll want to ring ahead if it's a weekday. There's free admission as with most parish churches. The real draw is Amersham itself though - the high street's genuinely good if you're after lunch or a nose around the old town. This church is the icing on that particular cake.