St John the Baptist Church, East Markham

The church sits quietly in East Markham village, a few miles from Newark, looking every inch the medieval survivor it is. St John the Baptist has that solid, no-nonsense quality you find in so many English parish churches - sturdy stonework, decent proportions, and the kind of interior that rewards a proper look around.

What makes it worth stopping for is the architecture. There's genuine medieval work here, with some nice details if you know where to look. The church isn't trying to be grand or showy; it's the real thing, built to last, and it shows. You can spend twenty minutes or an hour depending on how much you want to study the stonework and read the history boards inside.

It's ideal if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Greenacres or Eastfield Glamping are less than a mile away - and fancy a gentle walk through the village. Not a destination in itself, mind you. But if you're based around Newark way, perhaps at Sundown Adventureland or Orchard Park if you've got kids to entertain, an afternoon wander out here breaks up the day nicely. Families won't be thrilled for hours, but walkers and anyone interested in how churches evolve over centuries will find it worthwhile.

Drop by when you're passing. Admission is typically free in village churches like this. Allow thirty minutes if you're thorough.