St Mary, Skirpenbeck

The church sits alone in open countryside between York and the Wolds, which means you get that proper sense of arrival when you actually find it. St Mary's is a solid Norman building with later additions, and the interior rewards a proper look - there's decent medieval glass if you know where to catch the light, and the kind of quiet that makes you understand why people built churches in these spots in the first place.

It's not a showstopper in the way York Minster is, but that's rather the point. This is the kind of place you'd stumble on during a country walk and think, right, let's have a look inside. The churchyard's got atmosphere too, especially if you're into old gravestones and the stories they tell. Allow twenty minutes, maybe half an hour if you're taking notes or sketching.

Historically minded visitors and walkers will get more from it than casual drive-by tourists. Families with young kids might find it a bit quiet unless they're the type who enjoy exploring old buildings without a queue of school groups.

If you're staying at one of the nearby glamping spots - Bugthorpe Grange is just over a mile away, or Fox Hill if you want a bit more of a proper park setup - St Mary makes an easy morning circuit with some decent footpaths around Skirpenbeck. It's the sort of detour that separates a thoughtful break from a rushed one. Free entry, naturally, as these village churches tend to be.