St Mary

St Mary sits in the heart of Bourton-on-the-Water, that impossibly pretty Cotswolds village where the River Windrush runs straight down the high street. The church itself is all honey-coloured stone and proper medieval charm - the sort of place that feels like it's been here forever because, well, it largely has.

Inside, you'll find the usual village church mix: ancient tombs, creaking pews, and stained glass that's seen better centuries. It's the kind of space that rewards a slow wander rather than a quick tick-box visit. The architecture speaks for itself if you know where to look - there's real craftsmanship in the details if you take five minutes to actually examine them instead of just photographing the entrance.

This works best as part of a Bourton mooch rather than a destination in itself. Families with young kids will get bored after ten minutes, but anyone interested in village history or simply after a quiet moment away from the riverside crowds will find it worth the detour. The bonus is that Bourton's full of decent cafes and shops, so you can build a proper afternoon around it.

If you're based at one of the nearby glamping spots - Cotswolds Meadow is just three miles away, or Bluewood Lodges if you fancy somewhere with hot tubs - St Mary makes an easy morning visit before heading to Moreton-in-Marsh or exploring the broader Cotswolds. Free to enter, open during daylight hours. Allow 20 minutes unless you're genuinely into ecclesiastical architecture.