St James The Great Church

The church sits right in the heart of things, all sandstone and history, with a tower that's impossible to miss if you're driving through Leicestershire. St James the Great is one of those medieval churches that actually rewards a proper wander round - the interior's got real character, with decent monuments and decent bones throughout.

Inside, you'll find the usual Church of England setup, but it's the details that stick with you. The stonework's been through centuries of wear and maintenance, which is exactly what gives old churches their soul. If you're into ecclesiastical architecture or just want somewhere quiet for twenty minutes, it's worth the stop. No drama, no ticket booth, just a working parish church that's been doing its thing for centuries.

This works best if you're already in Leicester and fancying a bit of historical wandering rather than a destination trip on its own. Pair it with a walk round the city proper and you've got a decent morning sorted. Hill Top Caravan Park is a short drive away if you're basing yourself in the area - makes it easy to visit without rushing.

Go midweek if you can; weekends can get busier with services. Bring a torch if visiting in winter - old churches can be gloomy. The whole visit takes about half an hour unless you're really keen on tomb stones and memorials, in which case you could stretch to forty minutes.