St Mary, Wath

The church sits quietly in the village of Wath, about three miles south of Ripon, and it's one of those places that rewards the detour if you've got any interest in medieval architecture. St Mary is genuinely impressive - a Grade I listed building with the sort of stonework and interior detail you'd normally expect somewhere more famous.

Inside, there's a proper sense of age. The nave is from the 12th century, which means you're looking at nearly 900 years of worship in one space. The chancel was rebuilt later, and if you pay attention to the carved stone, you'll spot the periods layered on top of each other. The windows are good too, though like most parish churches, it's the quietness that gets you rather than any single feature.

This works well for anyone doing a slow loop through North Yorkshire's minor churches - the kind of trip where you're not rushing. Families with young children might find it a bit dull after ten minutes, but history enthusiasts and anyone interested in church architecture will spend a solid half-hour here. It's free to visit, and you'll likely have the place to yourself.

Being so close to Ripon makes it an easy stop between caravan parks like Riverside Meadows or Camp Kátur Glamping. You won't need more than an hour total, but if you're already in the area exploring the town or nearby attractions, it's absolutely worth the short drive out to Wath.