St Giles' Church, Pontefract

Walk down Southgate in Pontefract town centre and you'll spot the soaring perpendicular tower of St Giles' Church - it's proper distinctive, rises above the rooflines like nothing else around it. This is a medieval parish church that's been doing its thing since at least the 14th century, though it's been rebuilt and fiddled with since then, as these places tend to be.

Inside, the scale hits you. High ceilings, proper stonework, those big perpendicular windows that let light flood across the nave. You get a real sense of what this place meant to medieval Pontefract - it wasn't a small settlement, and St Giles' reflects that. The tower's the star turn though. If it's open, climb it. The town views from up there are worth the effort, and you can see right across to the surrounding Yorkshire countryside.

It's the sort of church that rewards a slow wander rather than a quick look. History buffs will appreciate the architecture and the layers of restoration. If you're staying at Nostell Priory Holiday Park just down the road, St Giles' makes an easy afternoon in town - Pontefract itself has enough going on to fill a few hours, whether that's the castle ruins or just wandering the town centre.

Free entry. Allow 30-45 minutes if you're properly exploring, less if you're just popping in. Quiet spot for reflection, and the stonework alone is worth seeing if you're into medieval churches.