St John the Baptist RC Church, Normanton

The tower of St John the Baptist rises unexpectedly from Normanton, a striking Victorian-era church that's actually quite unusual if you know the story. Built in the 1820s, it sits on what was once an island in the middle of a vast reservoir - the church was deliberately preserved when Normanton Reservoir flooded around it, making it one of England's most distinctive religious structures. Walking around the exterior, you immediately grasp why it's memorable: water on all sides, the isolation deliberate and rather affecting.

Inside, the church itself is modest Victorian work - decent enough if you're into 19th-century ecclesiastical design, but honestly the real appeal is the experience of being there rather than what's inside. History buffs will find the story compelling: they weren't going to lose this building, so they built the reservoir around it. Families with older kids might enjoy the novelty and the walk, though there's not loads to do once you're there beyond taking photos and absorbing the oddness of the setting.

Admission details aren't widely advertised, so it's worth checking locally before visiting. The church is best approached from Wakefield, which is just a few miles away. If you're basing yourself at Nostell Priory Holiday Park nearby, it's an easy detour - add it to a morning out rather than banking on it as a full afternoon. Broadlands Farm, the five-star option a bit further out, also puts you within reasonable reach. Go for the story and the setting, not for lengthy interior exploration.