St John's, Glastonbury

The tower of St John's rises above Glastonbury's High Street like a finger pointing at the sky, and walking through the door feels like stepping into several centuries at once. This is a working parish church, not a museum piece, which means you'll find real locals here alongside the tourists drawn by Glastonbury's spiritual reputation.

Inside, the church is light and surprisingly spacious. The tower itself is the real draw - late Perpendicular Gothic work from the 15th century, all soaring lines and decorative stonework. The interior has the sort of unhurried atmosphere you get in churches that have been tended for generations rather than polished for the postcard market. There's medieval glass to spot if you know where to look, and the whole place has the kind of quiet that makes you genuinely grateful for it.

It's free to wander in during opening hours, though do check before you visit as times vary. You'll need perhaps twenty minutes unless you're the type who reads every memorial and inscription, which is entirely fair enough. The church sits bang in the town centre, so it's easily combined with exploring Glastonbury proper - the Abbey ruins, the shops, the whole high street.

For families, this works well as a brief stop rather than a destination in itself. Walkers will appreciate it as part of a bigger Glastonbury visit. If you're staying at Orchard Farm Luxury Glamping just up the road, this is an easy half-hour trip into town. Worth seeing, but don't rearrange your plans around it.