St John the Baptist Church, Old Dalby

The church sits quietly in Old Dalby, a village that feels properly detached from the Melton Mowbray sprawl despite being just a short drive away. St John the Baptist is a medieval affair - solid, unpretentious, the sort of building that locals walk past daily without much fuss but which rewards a proper look inside.

What you get is genuine parish church architecture spanning centuries. The interior holds the real interest: medieval stonework, period features that haven't been fussed over with modern renovation, and the kind of peaceful atmosphere you find in working village churches rather than tourist attractions. It's free to visit and takes maybe twenty minutes to look around properly, though you could sit here longer if the mood takes you.

This works best for walkers and anyone with a genuine interest in medieval Leicestershire rather than families chasing an afternoon's entertainment. Kids will get restless after five minutes. The nearest town, Melton Mowbray, is close enough for supplies and a decent meal.

If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby parks - Frisby Lakes Lodge Park is exceptional, or The Grange Camping and Caravan Park if you want something more low-key - Old Dalby makes a natural morning wander before heading to Eye Kettleby Lakes for the afternoon. It's not a destination in itself, but it's exactly the sort of stop that makes a proper park holiday feel like you've actually been somewhere rather than just sitting on a caravan site.