St Mary Magdalene

The church sits on Cheshire Street in Sandbach, a red sandstone Victorian rebuild that catches the light beautifully on a clear morning. St Mary Magdalene is one of those parish churches that rewards a proper look inside - the interior's far more interesting than the exterior suggests, with some genuinely decent stained glass and the kind of architectural detail that speaks to serious Victorian restoration work.

It's not a destination in itself, to be honest. You're looking at twenty minutes, maybe half an hour if you're into the detail of restoration versus original medieval fabric. But if you're staying at Yellowstone - the highly-rated camping site just outside town - it's worth the short walk into Sandbach proper. The market town around it has actual character, and the church anchors the place nicely.

Walkers and architecture enthusiasts will find it worth the detour. Families with young kids might struggle to hold their attention for long, though the stained glass tends to keep children occupied for a bit. The town itself has better draws - decent pubs, a proper high street - so bundle this in with a morning's exploring rather than plan specifically for it.

The red sandstone you see throughout Sandbach comes partly from quarries nearby, which gives the whole area a visual coherence. Park up at Yellowstone and walk in; it's only a couple of miles, pleasant enough. Free admission, as these things usually are. Go midweek for peace and quiet.