St Lawrence Church

The tower of St Lawrence rises above Knutsford's Georgian streets like something from a postcard, all red sandstone and proper old-school craftsmanship. This is the sort of church that rewards a quiet wander - the kind where you can actually hear yourself think, unlike some of the tourist-mobbed cathedrals dotted across the North West.

Inside, the church has that reassuring smell of centuries - old wood, stone, and something indefinably peaceful. The chancel's worth a proper look if you're into ecclesiastical architecture, and there's genuine character in the details rather than the sort of overdone Victorian restoration you sometimes get. It's not vast or showy, which is rather the point.

History buffs will find it interesting enough - the church sits at the heart of Knutsford's conservation area, and wandering through after a visit here connects you to the town's actual past rather than its theme-park version. The churchyard's peaceful too, if you fancy sitting for twenty minutes with a coffee from one of the nearby high street cafés.

Really, though, St Lawrence works best as part of a proper morning in Knutsford itself - combine it with the town centre's independent shops and the surrounding Georgian architecture, rather than treating it as a standalone pilgrimage. You'll spend thirty to forty minutes inside comfortably. It's free to visit and worth the time if you're already in the area.

For a caravan holiday, Royal Vale is barely over a mile away, making this an easy evening stroll before dinner. Greenfields and Woodlands Park are equally close if you're looking for something less formal.