Saint Mary's Catholic Church

The red sandstone facade of Saint Mary's catches you off-guard as you round the corner near Leyland - this is proper Victorian Gothic, all pointed arches and ornate stonework, built when the Lancashire textile industry was at full steam. Step inside and the interior is surprisingly grand for a town this size, with a soaring nave, intricate tilework, and stained glass that floods the space with coloured light on a decent day.

It's worth an hour if you're into ecclesiastical architecture or Victorian craftsmanship. The building itself tells the story of Catholic Lancashire - when this was built, it represented real ambition and investment from the local Irish and Italian communities. Photography enthusiasts will find decent angles both inside and out, though you'll want to check if they allow it beforehand.

No idea on admission charges or whether there's a donation box - best ringing ahead on the details. If you're staying at Royal Umpire Caravan Park just down the road, this makes an easy afternoon detour rather than a long-haul trip. On a quiet weekday morning you'll often have the place mostly to yourself, which beats a weekend when there might be services on. The surrounding streets of Leyland are unremarkable, so don't expect much else nearby - this is the draw. Fair visit if you're passing through, but don't rearrange your itinerary for it.