Saint Martin

The Church of Saint Martin sits on the High Street in Banbury, a solid stone building that's been through centuries of Midlands weather and barely looks it. Inside, the light comes through decent Victorian glass and you're struck by how much space there is - this is a proper working parish church, not some cramped medieval ruin. The chancel work is fine, though calling it a major architectural statement would be overselling it. You'll find the usual roll-call of memorial tablets and a font that's done its job for generations.

Who should visit? Church historians will get something from the stonework and the accumulated layers of the place. Family groups won't spend more than twenty minutes here unless they're genuinely into ecclesiastical details. If you're walking Banbury's town centre anyway - and it's worth an hour of poking about - stepping inside takes no time at all.

Admission's typically free. The church does keep standard visiting hours, though these vary seasonally, so ring ahead if you're making a special trip. It's all on-street parking in town.

If you're based at Fir Tree Campsite or Mount Farm Park for a longer stay in the area, this slots neatly into a half-day exploring Banbury itself. There's the town museum nearby and decent pubs along the High Street. Don't overplan for it though - it's a local church doing local work, not a destination in itself. Well worth the ten minutes while you're in town, but no reason to build a holiday around it.