St Andrew's Church, Barnwell

The church sits quietly on the edge of Barnwell village, a stone's throw from Peterborough, and it's genuinely worth stopping for if you're driving through the area. St Andrew's is a proper medieval building, all honey-coloured limestone and honest craftsmanship, with enough architectural detail to keep history buffs occupied for a good half-hour.

You get the usual medieval pleasures here - a decent chancel, some interesting tombs if you can read the inscriptions, and that particular smell of old stone and polish that only centuries-old churches have. The churchyard's pleasant enough too, with mature trees and some older gravestones worth a wander. It's the kind of place where you can actually sit quietly for five minutes without feeling rushed, which increasingly feels like a luxury.

Not one for young children who need constant activity, but walkers and anyone interested in medieval Northamptonshire will find it genuinely absorbing. The village itself is unremarkable but the church has real character. Admission appears to be free, and you can visit during daylight hours - though checking ahead via the local parish is sensible if you're making a special trip.

If you're based at Castle Farm Campsite nearby, this makes an easy afternoon detour rather than a destination in itself. Worth an hour or so if you're exploring the area properly, but don't plan your entire day around it.