Saint John the Evangelist Donisthorpe

The church sits quietly on the edge of Donisthorpe, a village that most people drive through without a second glance on their way to Swadlincote. Saint John the Evangelist is Victorian - built in 1846 - and it's the sort of place that rewards a proper wander round rather than a flying visit.

Inside, you get decent stained glass and the usual Victorian craftsmanship that makes these parish churches worth stopping for. It's not a showstopper like some of the big medieval jobs further east, but if you're into church architecture or local history, you'll find things to notice - the detail work, the way light comes through the windows, the sense that this building still matters to its community.

This works well if you're camping at Conkers (just over a mile away) or Fire & Stars - gives you something to do that's not far from base. Donisthorpe itself is proper quiet, so don't expect cafes or shops clustered round the church. You'll want to head into Swadlincote for the usual facilities.

Allow maybe 20-30 minutes if you're actually looking at the details rather than just popping in and out. Check locally whether it's open when you visit - village churches keep their own hours. Kids will manage it fine if they're the sort who can sit still in a pew, but it's not a playground attraction. Lovely for a gentle stroll if you're based nearby, though - the kind of thing that slots in nicely around a weekend's camping.