St Francis Of Assisi RC Church

The red-brick Victorian church on the edge of Kenilworth is one of those places you'll walk past a dozen times before you actually step inside. St Francis of Assisi RC Church sits quietly in a town that's frankly dominated by the castle, which means you get the space to appreciate it properly without crowds.

Inside, it's all high ceilings and that particular smell of old Catholic churches - candles, wood polish, something indefinably peaceful. The Victorians built it with proper craftsmanship, and you can feel it in the details. There's nothing flashy about it, which is rather the point.

If you're into church architecture or just need twenty minutes of genuine quiet while you're visiting Kenilworth Castle, it's well worth the detour. Families won't find much to keep kids entertained beyond ten minutes, but for walkers and history types - particularly those interested in Victorian religious building - it's a solid stop.

The best thing about it is that there's no pressure. No entry fee as far as I can tell, no visitor centre trying to sell you postcards, just a proper working church. Pop in while you're exploring Kenilworth town centre, then head straight to the castle if you're doing the rounds.

If you're basing yourself at Mousley House Farm or Hilltop Hideaways nearby, this is a five-minute detour worth making on a Sunday morning.