St Lawrence's Church, West Wycombe

The golden ball perched on top of St Lawrence's Church tower is what catches your eye first - an 18th-century oddity that's sparked centuries of gossip and speculation. It's large enough to hold several people, though whether anyone's actually been inside is debatable. The church itself sits in West Wycombe village, just a few miles from Marlow, and the whole thing feels like stepping into a particular moment in English architectural history when eccentric landowners could still do what they pleased.

Inside, the church is surprisingly theatrical. There's a baroque ceiling with painted cherubs, box pews that feel like private theatre boxes, and an overall sense that someone wanted their place of worship to be rather more interesting than the average parish church. The bell on the tower might be the star turn, but the interior delivers genuine character.

It's free to visit, though opening hours can be temperamental depending on the season and vicar's schedule - worth checking locally in Marlow before making the trip. Give yourself 30 minutes if you're just popping in, longer if you're the type to read every memorial and ponder the symbolism. History buffs and architecture enthusiasts will get far more from it than young kids, who'll probably only care about the golden ball.

If you're based at one of the nearby camping spots - Bella Vista or Home Farm are closest at under 3 miles - this works as an easy afternoon wander before heading back for dinner. Combine it with a walk through West Wycombe Park itself for a proper half-day out. The village has a genuine story to tell if you know where to look.