Saint Oswald

The church at Saint Oswald stands just outside Cheltenham, a proper slice of medieval England that most people hurry past on their way to somewhere else. The stone walls tell the story of someone who mattered enough to get a church named after him - Oswald, the Northumbrian king turned saint, though the building itself is largely from the 12th century onwards.

Walking through the churchyard is the real draw here. You'll find yourself among old headstones and yew trees, the kind of place where you actually feel the weight of history underfoot rather than just reading about it in a display board. The interior has decent carved stonework if you're into that sort of thing, and the peaceful setting means you can actually hear yourself think - rare for somewhere so close to a town.

It's worth a visit if you're a church crawler or doing the local history rounds, but don't expect crowds or facilities. Allow half an hour, maybe an hour if you're the type to sit quietly on a bench and soak it in. Free to visit, which is always a bonus.

If you're based at Bourton-on-the-Water Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite nearby, Saint Oswald makes for a gentle afternoon outing. It's close enough not to feel like a mission, but far enough from the holiday park crowds to feel like you've actually discovered something. The Cotswolds are thick with these old churches, so you could easily string together a few visits if the weather holds.