Saint Monica's Catholic Church

You'll find Saint Monica's tucked away in Hertfordshire, a proper Catholic church that rewards the detour if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Theobalds Park or Lee Valley Campsite are both within five miles. The building itself is worth a look for anyone interested in religious architecture, though it's not one of those vast medieval cathedrals that dominates a skyline. Instead, it's a more intimate space, the kind of place where you can actually spend twenty minutes without feeling rushed.

The real draw here depends who you are. History types will appreciate the architectural details and the role it's played in the local Catholic community. Families won't get hours out of it - kids will be bored after fifteen minutes unless they're genuinely into churches - but it's a worthwhile stop if you're exploring the Hertfordshire area around London's edges. The location, so close to the capital yet feeling separate from it, is part of the appeal.

Access appears to be free, though opening hours aren't published online, so you'll want to check ahead or just turn up during daylight hours and hope. It's the kind of place that works best as part of a larger day out rather than a destination in itself. Combine it with walks around Theobalds Park or the Lee Valley if you're camping locally, and you've got a decent half-day. Don't make a special trip from London, but if you're staying nearby, it's worth knowing about.