St Helen’s & All Saints Church, Wykeham

The church sits quietly in Wykeham village, a couple of miles inland from Scarborough, and it's one of those places that rewards taking a wrong turn. St Helen's & All Saints has the sort of solid Norman presence that makes you understand why it's been here since the 12th century - sturdy stone walls, a decent bell tower, the kind of building that doesn't make a fuss about being important.

Inside, there's proper medieval work: carved stone, stained glass that catches the light properly, and the kind of peace you only get in old churches. It's not vast or showy. There are no crowds because there aren't crowds at village churches in North Yorkshire. That's the whole appeal, really.

This works best for anyone interested in church architecture or Romanesque detail rather than as a family outing - kids will manage ten minutes before restlessness sets in. Walkers come through regularly since it's near footpaths heading towards the moors. Free to look around, and it's usually open during daylight, though it's worth checking locally.

If you're staying at one of the nearby glamping sites - Lahtle Wood or Wolds Walk are close by - it's worth a morning visit before heading toward Scarborough or exploring the Vale of Pickering. The church feels like the real North Yorkshire, not the seaside version. Spend half an hour here rather than another hour in town, and you'll get something more lasting.