St Mary the Virgin's Church

The church itself is rather striking - all flint and stone with a tower that's been watching over the landscape since medieval times. St Mary the Virgin sits just outside Dunmow, and it's the sort of place where you stumble across proper history without the crowds.

Inside, there's decent medieval work if you're into that sort of thing - the sort of details that make you realise how long these buildings have actually been standing. The porch is worth a look, and the overall proportions of the nave feel generous compared to some cramped village churches you'll encounter elsewhere in Essex. Depending on the time of year, you might find it locked, which is frustratingly common with smaller churches these days.

It's absolutely the kind of stop that works well if you're basing yourself at Dairymeade Farm Glamping - a short drive away. You won't spend hours here, but it's worth twenty minutes if you're passing through. Walkers and history types will find something to chew on; families with fidgety kids might find it a bit slow unless they're genuinely interested in medieval architecture.

The real draw is that it feels like the sort of discovery you make yourself rather than something you've been told to see. Head into Dunmow itself afterwards for a proper cup of tea - the town's got enough going on to make a morning of it without feeling like you've been dragged somewhere touristy.