Saint Mary Magdalene

The church sits in a quiet corner of Warwickshire, just outside Shipston-on-Stour, and it's one of those places that rewards the detour if you're into medieval architecture. Saint Mary Magdalene has that solid, no-nonsense English parish church feel - proper Perpendicular Gothic with decent stonework and a tower that's held up well through the centuries.

Inside, there's enough to keep history buffs occupied for a good half hour: monuments, glass work, and the kind of architectural details that reveal themselves slowly if you actually look. It's not the sort of place that'll grab your attention from the car park, mind you. You need to be genuinely interested in churches to make the most of it.

If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan sites - Kirby Farm is closest at just over two miles - this works perfectly as a morning potter before heading into Shipston for lunch. The walk there's pleasant enough if you're not driving. Free admission, as is typical for working parish churches, and you'll likely find it unlocked during reasonable daylight hours, though it's worth checking locally before making a special trip.

Families with young children might find twenty minutes is about their limit. Walkers will appreciate its location on the wider Warwickshire footpath network. Come on a weekday morning when it's genuinely quiet - there's something rather lovely about having the place to yourself.