St. Margaret of Antioch Church, Crick.

The churchyard sits quietly off the main road through Crick, a village most people drive straight past on the way to Lutterworth. St. Margaret of Antioch Church is the sort of place that rewards a five-minute detour - nothing flashy, just solid medieval stonework and the kind of peaceful churchyard where you actually notice birdsong.

Inside, it's small and atmospheric. The church dates back centuries, with some genuinely interesting architectural details if you know what you're looking at - otherwise it's just a nice place to sit for a bit. The real appeal is the calm. No crowds, no gift shop, no velvet ropes. You get the sense that actual people worship here, which somehow makes it feel more real than grander ecclesiastical showstops.

It's ideal if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Caravan Park at Stanford Hall is just four miles away, as is Steepleton Lodge Glamping if you fancy something a touch more luxe. If you're doing a broader East Midlands loop, this pairs well with a visit to Stanford Hall itself, which has proper gardens and a lake worth exploring.

Allow 20 minutes unless you're the type to sit with an old church guide for an hour. Admission is free. There's no café, no facilities - bring a notebook if you're into rubbing brass or sketching stonework. Go on a weekday morning when the light comes through the windows properly. Families won't get much from it beyond teaching kids to be quiet in old buildings, but walkers doing a route through the village will find it worth a brief pause.