St James

The church sits quietly off the main drag near Coventry, one of those medieval parish churches that doesn't shout about itself but rewards a proper look around. St James has the solid, no-nonsense feel of a building that's been standing since the 1300s and genuinely doesn't care whether you show up or not.

Inside, the nave opens up nicely - there's proper medieval timber work in the roof, stained glass that's survived better than you'd expect, and some decent brasses dotted about if you're into that sort of thing. The chancel's been fiddled with over the centuries like most churches, but it's all readable and honest about what's original and what's Victorian restoration.

History enthusiasts will get the most out of a visit here. It's not a showstopper like Coventry Cathedral, but that's partly the point - this is what ordinary medieval parish life looked like, without the tourist queue. Families with younger kids might find half an hour enough; older ones interested in medieval England will spend longer poking about.

If you're camped at Eriba Glade just up the road, it's an easy detour before heading into Coventry proper. Pop in on the way to or from the city centre rather than making it your main event. Free to visit as far as these things go, and you'll rarely find yourself fighting the crowds. Worth twenty minutes of your time if you're in the area.