Saint Laurence

You won't find Saint Laurence listed in most guidebooks, which is precisely why it's worth the detour from Oxford. This medieval church sits in quiet countryside, its stone walls speaking to centuries of village life that the city has long since swallowed up.

Step inside and you're looking at proper Norman architecture - the kind of thing that makes church historians genuinely excited. The chancel and nave have survived largely intact, giving you a genuine sense of what these buildings meant to rural communities hundreds of years ago. There's nothing overdone about it, which is refreshing when you've had your fill of heavily restored cathedrals.

It's a genuinely peaceful spot, the sort of place where you'll likely have the building to yourself on a weekday afternoon. That makes it excellent for anyone wanting to escape the Oxford crowds - families with older kids who won't grumble about spending 45 minutes poking around, or walkers taking a longer route between the Cotswolds sites nearby.

Parking is straightforward, and admission appears free, though you'll want to check locally as these things do change. Allow 30-45 minutes unless you're really into ecclesiastical detail. The location works well if you're based at either Cotswold View or Cotswolds Caravan and Camping - both are close enough for a morning or late-afternoon visit without feeling like a major excursion. Bring a torch if you visit in winter; the interior can be dim.