St Mary's C of E Church, Hinckley

The church sits right in Hinckley's town centre, and you'll spot the spire from quite far off - it's got real presence. St Mary's is a solid medieval building that's been looked after properly, with some genuinely interesting bits inside if you're into that sort of thing. The architecture tells you it's been important to this place for centuries.

Worth an hour of your time, maybe a bit less if you're just passing through. The interior has decent stained glass and the kind of peaceful atmosphere you get in old churches - useful if you need ten minutes away from the kids or want a moment's quiet. It's free to wander in, which is always appreciated. The setting in the middle of town means you can combine it with a walk around Hinckley's high street and grab a coffee after.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Mallory Meadows is closest at just over four miles, or Bosworth if you want a bit more distance - this makes a decent rainy afternoon option. Families with older kids who'll actually look at something won't find it tedious, but younger ones might want to get moving fairly quickly. History types will get more out of it than casual sightseers, though the craftsmanship alone is worth a look. Don't plan your whole day around it, but it's absolutely worth the quick visit if you're in Hinckley anyway.