St James' Church, Taunton

The tower of St James' Church dominates Taunton's skyline in a way that catches you off guard when you round a corner in the town centre. Built over several centuries, this is proper Somerset architecture - the sort of place where you can read the building's story in its stonework if you know what to look for.

Inside, the church rewards a slow walk around. The windows are worth your time, and if you're into medieval craftsmanship, the roof work alone justifies the visit. It's not a vast cathedral, which is partly why it works so well - you feel like you're actually looking at something real rather than gawping at tourist spectacle.

Historically minded visitors will get the most from St James'. Families with fidgety kids might struggle unless you time it right and keep moving. It's free to enter, and you can usually pop in during daylight hours, though opening times aren't always clearly posted so ring ahead or check when you're in town.

The church sits handily in Taunton itself, making it an easy stop if you're based at one of the local parks - Cornish Farm Touring Park is barely two miles away. Pair it with a walk through town and a proper lunch somewhere, and you've got a decent morning sorted. It's not a destination in itself, but it's exactly the kind of place that makes a market town worth exploring rather than just driving through.