St Mary the Virgin, Thornton Watlass

The churchyard sits on a gentle rise in Thornton Watlass village, just a few miles south of Northallerton, and St Mary the Virgin announces itself with a proper medieval tower that's been keeping watch over the North Yorkshire countryside for centuries. Inside, the church is exactly what you'd hope for - stone flags underfoot, medieval woodwork, and that particular smell of old wood and stone that no amount of restoration can replicate. The chancel and nave feel generous rather than cramped, and there's genuine craftsmanship in the details if you take time to look.

This works brilliantly for a half-hour ramble if you're already in the area, or as a quiet break from caravan life at one of the nearby parks like Pembroke or Camp Kátur. History enthusiasts will appreciate the medieval fabric of the building, though it's not the sort of place that demands hours of your time. The churchyard itself is peaceful - good for stretching legs between pitches.

The village is small and genuinely quiet, which means no gift shops, no crowds, and no faffing about. You'll want to check locally whether it's open when you visit, as smaller rural churches can be temperamental about access. If you're staying at Eastfield Glamping Farm or any of the other parks dotted around this corner of Yorkshire, it's an easy drive to combine with a proper walk or a pub lunch nearby. Not essential viewing, but the sort of place that makes a holiday feel proper rather than just ticking boxes.