St Mary

The church sits quietly on the edge of Hungerford, a solid stone building that doesn't shout for attention but rewards those who push open its heavy wooden door. St Mary is a proper parish church with medieval roots - the sort of place where locals have worshipped for centuries and where you can still feel that weight of history in the flagstones.

Inside, there's decent medieval stonework and the usual church things - stained glass, monuments, that particular smell of old wood and stone that you either love or find a bit stuffy. It's not a jaw-dropping cathedral moment, but it's genuine and unpretentious, which counts for something.

The church works best for people interested in local heritage and church architecture rather than those after a grand day out. You're looking at thirty minutes maximum unless you're the type to sit in pews for a quiet think. It's free to visit, though do check opening times before making the trip - parish churches can be temperamental about when they unlock.

If you're staying at Lorne Hill Farm, just over five miles away, St Mary makes a pleasant walk into Hungerford proper rather than a destination in itself. The town itself has more going for it - good shops, decent pubs, the canal - so bundle the church visit with exploring the High Street. On a rainy afternoon it's worth the detour, but don't rearrange your plans around it.