Saint Martin

The church of Saint Martin sits quietly in Banbury, one of those Oxfordshire buildings that doesn't announce itself but rewards a visit. It's a proper medieval structure with enough architectural detail to hold your attention for a good hour if you're into that sort of thing - which, let's be honest, most church tourists are.

Inside, you'll find the usual suspects: stone walls, stained glass, and a chancel that tells you everything you need to know about how seriously they took God in the Middle Ages. The craftsmanship is genuinely impressive, especially if you look up. That's where the real work went in.

This is absolutely the sort of place families staying at Newton Grove or Cotswolds Caravan and Camping should slip into on a rainy afternoon. Kids might find it a bit quiet - there's no gift shop, no interactive displays - but school-age children with even a passing interest in history will get something from it. It won't eat up your whole day, which is fine. Pair it with a wander around Banbury town centre and you've got a respectable morning sorted.

Free to enter, naturally. The beauty of English parish churches is that they cost nothing and ask for little in return. Just be respectful of anyone who's there for actual worship rather than tourism. Early afternoon, midweek, you'll have the place largely to yourself.