St Mary's

The church sits on Thame's high street, and it's the sort of place you walk past a dozen times before actually going in. St Mary's is a proper medieval affair - all stone and age, with that particular smell of old wood and time that only centuries-old buildings have. Inside, there's a decent amount to take in if you're into church architecture: the chancel's worth a look, and the details repay a slower walk-around than most people give it.

It's free to visit, which is the main thing. You won't need more than twenty minutes unless you're really into ecclesiastical history or doing the full brass-rubbing tour. Families with young kids might find it a bit static - churches aren't naturally thrilling for anyone under eight - but if you've got older children interested in the medieval period, it's a solid ten-minute stop.

The real value is as part of a wider Thame wander rather than a destination in itself. The town's got a decent high street and proper pubs if you're after lunch. If you're staying at Lashlake Barn - just over the road - it's literally a five-minute walk, so worth ticking off on a rainy afternoon. Even Orchard View Farm, a bit further out near the Oxfordshire border, is close enough that St Mary's works as a quick cultural break between the leisure park and whatever else you're doing locally. Don't make a special trip, but don't skip it either if you're in the area.