St Lawrence Church

The churchyard sits quiet at the edge of Hungerford, and St Lawrence Church itself is worth a proper look if you're passing through the area. It's a medieval parish church with that solid, no-nonsense feel you get from Berkshire's older buildings - the kind of place that's been standing for centuries without making a fuss about it.

Inside, there's decent medieval stonework and the sort of atmospheric gloom that comes with high ceilings and thick walls. The furnishings aren't particularly showy, but that's rather the point. You're looking at authentic parish church life rather than something burnished for tourists.

It works best for history walkers or anyone with a genuine interest in medieval architecture. Families with restless children might find twenty minutes is enough. There's no admission charge as far as we can tell, though opening hours aren't always obvious - it's worth checking locally if you're planning a specific visit.

If you're staying at Lorne Hill Farm just down the road - a solid five-star spot - this makes an easy morning wander before exploring Hungerford proper. The town itself has decent high street shops and pubs worth your time. St Lawrence isn't a standout attraction, but it's the kind of proper local building that gives real character to a Berkshire break, especially if you're combining it with walks across the surrounding countryside.