St Martin's Church

The church sits quietly in the village, its stone walls testimony to centuries of Dorset life. St Martin's is the sort of place that rewards a detour if you're already in the area, though it won't eat up your afternoon - you could look around properly in twenty minutes.

What you're getting is a working parish church with the usual mix of medieval bones and Victorian restoration work. The interior has that particular smell all old churches have - damp stone and furniture polish - and enough architectural detail to keep history buffs occupied. The churchyard itself is pleasant enough for a wander if the weather's decent.

This is really a stop for the church crawlers and local history types rather than something to build a day around. If you're staying at one of the glamping spots nearby - Swallowfield is closest at just over four miles away - and you're the sort who visits parish churches on holiday, then absolutely. You'll find it open during reasonable hours most days, though it's worth checking locally before you trek across if it's been locked up.

Yeovil's near enough if you need supplies or a proper cup of coffee afterwards. The surrounding area has decent walking, and the nearby parks offer a proper base for exploring the Dorset countryside without the fuss of traditional holiday parks. But St Martin's itself? It's the quiet bonus to a day out, not the main event.