St John the Baptist Church

The church sits right in the heart of Morpeth, a solid medieval structure that's been watching over the town since the 14th century. St John the Baptist is one of those proper working churches - still very much in use - and stepping inside reveals decent perpendicular gothic architecture with a decent chancel and some original features that survived the centuries reasonably intact.

It's the sort of place history enthusiasts will want to spend twenty minutes exploring, reading the wall tablets and getting a feel for how ordinary people worshipped here generation after generation. The exterior is handsome enough too, with decent stonework and a sturdy tower that's become something of a local landmark. Families passing through Morpeth won't find it thrilling - kids get bored quickly in churches - but it's absolutely worth a quick stop if you're already in town.

Free to enter, as most parish churches are, and you'll likely find it open during daylight hours, though it's worth checking locally before making a special trip. The location works well if you're based at any of the nearby holiday parks like Golden Sands or Parkdean Resorts Cresswell Towers - Morpeth's only a short drive away and makes for a decent afternoon potter round the shops and cafes. Pair it with a walk along the riverside or a visit to Morpeth's castle grounds, and you've got a solid half-day sorted.