St John the Baptist, Temple Bruer

The tower of St John the Baptist rises abruptly from flat Lincolnshire fields near Temple Bruer, about five miles south of Lincoln - a solitary stone finger pointing skyward where you'd expect nothing but hedgerows. This isn't some grand cathedral; it's the remains of a medieval church, and what catches you immediately is how isolated it feels, standing alone in the middle of nowhere.

What you get here depends entirely on how much you care about ecclesiastical ruins and medieval history. The tower itself survives in decent condition, and if you're into 13th-century construction or the Knights Templar (who had a connection to this area), there's enough to spend twenty minutes poking around. Photography types will find it atmospheric on overcast days, that kind of lonely English landscape that works best when the light's a bit grey.

Honestly? It's not a destination in itself. You won't drive an hour to see it unless medieval churches are genuinely your thing. But if you're staying at Spire View Meadow glamping site nearby - which has proper five-star reviews - it's a decent five-mile loop drive to break up a morning. Kids will find it a bit dull after ten minutes unless you make a game of spotting carved stones or telling them ghost stories.

Bring a camera and accept that this is the sort of spot you visit because you're curious about what's tucked away in the Lincolnshire countryside, not because anyone's told you it's essential. Free admission, naturally, since there's barely anyone to take your money.