St. Mark's

There's something about a Victorian church that stops you mid-stride, and St. Mark's does exactly that as you approach Scarisbrick. Red brick, proper solid architecture, the sort of building that announces itself without shouting. You'll find it's a working parish church, so opening times vary - worth ringing ahead before you drive over from the nearby Southport Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite, which sits just four miles away.

The church itself is worth a proper look if you're into Victorian design and craftsmanship. The interior rewards a slow walk-through - stained glass, decent stonework, that particular smell churches have when they're genuinely used rather than preserved in amber. It's not a tourist carousel, which is precisely its charm. You're stepping into something ordinary and lived-in, not a heritage showpiece.

This works well as part of a larger amble around Scarisbrick itself. The village has that quiet Lancashire character - nothing flashy, but genuine. Families with an interest in architecture will get more from it than younger kids after ten minutes of staring at stone. Admission is almost certainly free, as these parish churches tend to be, though a donation box sits near the entrance.

If you're staying at the caravan park and fancy half an hour out of the van, it's a straightforward drive. Don't expect queues or visitor facilities - bring nobody here expecting a cafe - but if you appreciate solid Victorian building and the rhythm of actual parish life, it's well worth the visit.