Saint Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church

The Catholic church dedicated to Saint Thomas of Canterbury sits quietly in Bishop Auckland, a market town that's seen better days but retains plenty of character. It's a proper Victorian-era building with that solid, no-nonsense feel you get from 19th-century religious architecture in the North East - all red brick and purposeful design, not trying to show off.

What makes it worth a visit if you're staying at any of the nearby caravan parks - Bradley Burn or Kingfisher are practically on the doorstep - is the chance to see how the Catholic community established itself in a distinctly Anglican corner of England. The interior tells that story through its fixtures and fittings. You're looking at an hour, tops, unless you're genuinely into Victorian ecclesiastical design, in which case you might linger over the details.

Bishop Auckland itself is the draw here, really. The town has Durham's castle and some solid museums if the weather turns, and you can work your faith tourism into a broader exploration of the area. It's not a destination in itself, but if you're based at one of the caravan parks and fancy a gentle walk into town, the church provides a legitimate reason to stretch your legs and get a sense of local history.

Best approach it without fanfare. There's something quite moving about small-town Victorian churches when you're not expecting them to impress you. This one doesn't try. That's rather the point.