St Mary the Virgin, Church

The interior of St Mary the Virgin catches you off guard the moment you step through the doors. You're expecting a standard parish church, and what you find instead is one of England's finest examples of Perpendicular Gothic - soaring ceilings, intricate stonework, and windows that flood the space with light. This is Warwick's pride, sitting just a short walk from the castle, and it absolutely deserves your time.

The church dates back centuries, though what you see today was substantially rebuilt after a devastating fire in the 14th century. The chancel is particularly impressive - the tomb of Thomas Beauchamp, one of the founders of the Order of the Garter, dominates the space with real presence. Walk slowly through the side chapels. Each one has something worth stopping for, whether it's carved tombs of medieval nobles or the sheer quality of the stonework.

Give yourself a good hour here, more if you're genuinely interested in church history or medieval monuments. It's free to visit, which feels like a bargain for what's on offer. Go on a weekday morning if you can - you'll have the place largely to yourself rather than battling tourist groups.

If you're camping nearby at Mousley House Farm or Fir Tree Campsite, this makes an easy morning outing before exploring Warwick Castle. The town itself has everything you need, and the church sits right in the heart of things. Proper worth the detour, this one.