Saint Mary and Saint Joseph Catholic Church

The moment you step inside this Victorian Catholic church on the edge of Northallerton, you're struck by how quiet it is. Saint Mary and Saint Joseph sits in a town that's more known for its market square and railway heritage than its religious architecture, which means you'll likely have the place largely to yourself.

It's a proper bit of 19th-century craftsmanship - the kind of church that rewards a slow wander rather than a quick tick-box visit. The interior has that distinctive Catholic feel: decent stained glass, ornate fixtures, and the sort of atmospheric lighting that makes afternoon visits particularly worthwhile. If you're into Victorian ecclesiastical design or just enjoy the peace of an empty church, this delivers.

Truth is, it won't keep you for hours. Twenty minutes to half an hour covers it properly. But if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Pembroke is barely a mile and a half away, or Camp Kátur's glamping if you want something different - it's easily incorporated into a morning before heading to Kiplin Country Park or exploring Northallerton's town centre itself.

Best suited to architecture enthusiasts and anyone after a moment of calm during a holiday. Kids won't find much to occupy them here, and casual visitors should probably only divert if they're already in the area. The real appeal is that it's genuine, unpretentious, and genuinely undervisited - no crowds, no fuss, just good solid Victorian religious architecture.