St Mary's Church, Arnold

The church sits on Arnold's high street like it's been there forever - because it has, really. St Mary's is a proper medieval affair, all stone and history, the kind of place that makes you actually pause mid-walk through a suburban Nottinghamshire town and think, 'Oh, right, this matters.' The interior is where it gets interesting: there's medieval stonework, decent stained glass, and enough architectural detail to keep history buffs occupied for a good half-hour if you're the type to read every plaque.

It's free to visit, which is refreshing. Opening times vary, so check ahead before you go - you don't want to turn up to find the doors locked. Best to pop in on a weekday morning if you're serious about having a proper look around without school parties everywhere.

This works well if you're staying at one of the nearby glamping spots - Peacock Lake or Fairview Farm Log Cabins are both within six miles and rated highly - as a rainy-afternoon escape or something to tick off before heading elsewhere. It's not a destination in itself, mind. Arnold's convenient for Nottingham but fairly suburban otherwise, so you'd probably combine it with walks around the wider area or other attractions in the city.

The real appeal here is that it's unpretentious and genuinely old. No crowds, no gift shop, just a church that's been doing its job for centuries. Worth twenty minutes of your time if you're passing through.