St Katherine's Church

The first thing that strikes you about St Katherine's Church is how quietly it sits in the Somerset countryside, nothing showboating about it. You'll find it proper tucked away from Bristol's sprawl, the kind of place where you half-expect to turn back thinking you've taken a wrong turn. But push on and there it is - a medieval church with real character, the sort of thing that rewards turning off the main road.

The building itself is a mix of Norman and later additions, all stone and solid craftsmanship. Inside, there's that particular smell - old wood, stone, candlewax - that you either find moving or completely unmemorable depending on your temperament. The chancel work is worth looking at if you're into that sort of thing, and the overall feel is one of unhurried Somerset history rather than overdone tourist attraction.

This works best if you're staying at Somerset Glamping or The Batch Campsite nearby and fancy a gentle walk combined with some low-key cultural poking around. Kids won't hate it provided you're not expecting them to sit still for twenty minutes reading plaques. History enthusiasts will find enough medieval detail to occupy themselves. Everyone else - it's a nice enough stop if you're in the area, though you won't miss life-changing revelations if you skip it.

Allow thirty minutes to an hour. No appointment needed as far as I can tell, and it's the kind of place that opens during daylight hours without fuss. Best visited when the light's decent enough to see the stonework properly.