St. Mary Magdalene

The octagonal tower of St. Mary Magdalene rises above Henley-in-Arden like a brick-built sentinel, and it's far more interesting inside than the rather austere exterior suggests. This is a proper working parish church, not a museum piece - you'll find real flowers on the altar, a well-thumbed hymn book or two, and the kind of peaceful quiet that only centuries-old stone can provide.

What catches you first is the timber roof, ornate and surprisingly grand for a Warwickshire market town church. The chancel screen dates from the Tudor period, and there's enough stained glass to keep you occupied for twenty minutes if you're that way inclined. The whole place feels genuinely lived-in rather than preserved, which is rather refreshing.

It's free to wander around during daylight hours - the sort of thing you slip into between lunch in the high street and browsing the antique shops. Allow thirty minutes maximum unless you're seriously into ecclesiastical architecture. Families with young children won't find much to hold their attention, but anyone interested in medieval Warwickshire should make time for it.

If you're staying at Wootton Park Glamping Pods just five miles away, this makes an easy morning outing before exploring the broader Henley area. The town itself is worth a proper look - Georgian coaching inns, decent pubs, and enough character to justify a full day if the weather's reasonable.