Roman Catholic Church of St Thomas of Hereford

The Church of St Thomas of Hereford sits in the heart of Hereford itself, a Victorian-era Roman Catholic church that cuts through the noise of what is otherwise quite a traditional Church of England stronghold. Inside, you get the full Catholic treatment - high altar, ornate fixtures, that particular smell of old woodwork and candle wax that never quite leaves your clothes.

It's not a sprawling medieval cathedral. What you're looking at is mid-19th century architecture, so if you're chasing Norman arches and medieval stonework, this won't deliver. But if you're interested in how Catholicism re-established itself in England after centuries of suppression, or you simply want a quiet 15-minute stop while exploring Hereford's town centre, it's worth a look. The quiet is what gets you - proper peaceful compared to wandering about outside.

History types will find the backstory more rewarding than the building itself. Families might pop in whilst doing the high street, though kids won't find much to grab their attention for long. Walkers based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Moorhampton is just 3 miles away - could slot this into a morning wandering Hereford's medieval streets.

Admission should be free (as with most parish churches), though opening hours aren't guaranteed. It's the sort of place you turn up at and hope someone's left it unlocked. If you're planning to visit properly, ringing ahead would save disappointment. It works best as a 15-minute add-on rather than a destination in itself.