St Mary the Virgin, Hemingbrough

The tower of St Mary the Virgin dominates Hemingbrough like a stone finger pointing at the sky - and at 128 feet, it's hard to miss. This medieval church sits in a quiet village between Goole and the River Ouse, and it's the sort of place that rewards actually stopping the car rather than driving past.

What strikes you first is the tower's sheer verticality. Built in the 15th century, it's one of the tallest parish church towers in Yorkshire, and the craftsmanship is genuinely impressive - the stonework catches the light differently depending on the time of day. Inside, you'll find a proper working church with decent medieval bones, though it's fairly straightforward rather than jaw-droppingly ornate.

History buffs will appreciate the architecture and the fact that it's been standing for 600 years. Families with young children might find twenty minutes enough unless they're particularly keen on ecclesiastical detail. The churchyard's worth a wander if the weather's decent.

It's free to visit and open during normal daylight hours - no faffing about with opening times. Allow thirty minutes to look round properly, longer if you're sketching or photographing. Hemingbrough's small, so there's limited refreshment nearby, but it's close enough to Goole for a proper stop.

If you're staying at Apple Blossom Caravan and Camping nearby, it makes an easy half-hour diversion on a quiet afternoon. The flat landscape around here means the tower's visible for miles - you'll spot it as you drive in.