St Mary and St Hardulph Priory Church, Breedon on the Hill

The church sits at the top of Breedon Hill, which means you've earned the view before you even step inside. It's a proper climb - steep enough that you'll notice it, especially with kids in tow - but the reward is worth it: a 12th-century church with Saxon fragments built into its walls, and from the churchyard, you can see right across Derbyshire on a clear day.

Inside, the real treasure is the stone carvings. Intricate medieval work covers the walls and chancel, though much of it has weathered to the point where you'll need patience to make out the detail. The church was once part of a Benedictine priory, though little else remains - just the church itself, standing alone on the hilltop. History enthusiasts will spend a good hour here; casual visitors might manage twenty minutes.

It's free to visit, and there's no set opening hours listed, so you're at the mercy of whether someone's left the door unlocked. That's the reality of small country churches in Derbyshire. Bring a torch if you're planning a visit in winter.

For a park holiday, this works well with the glamping spots nearby - Field of Dreams is only a mile or so away, and Broadleaves sits at 4.3 miles. The climb itself is good exercise between lounging around your accommodation. It's the sort of thing that feels special because you've made the effort, not because it's been turned into an attraction. That's actually its appeal.