Saint John's Church Levens

The churchyard at Levens sits quietly off the main road between Kendal and the southern Lake District fells, and it's one of those places that rewards a proper look around. Saint John's Church itself is medieval - the kind of solid stone building you'd expect to find in rural Cumbria - but what makes it worth stopping for are the details: carved medieval stones, some decent stained glass, and a genuine sense of age that you don't get from many buildings.

It's the sort of spot that appeals most to architecture enthusiasts and anyone with a genuine interest in church history rather than casual visitors after a quick photo. The churchyard itself is pleasant enough for a wander, with old gravestones and a proper feeling of place. Allow yourself twenty minutes to half an hour if you're going to do it justice.

Levens village is tiny - barely a cluster really - but it's only two miles or so from Kendal, which means you can easily tie this in with a proper day out exploring the market town and the surrounding area. If you're based at Kendal Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite or Little Acre Holiday Park nearby, it's a straightforward drive. Neither Meathop Fell nor The Ashes are much further if you're staying slightly further afield.

Free to visit, open at reasonable hours if you're keen on churches. It won't take up much of your holiday time, but it's worth including if you're already exploring the villages between Kendal and the peaks. Not spectacular, but genuine.