St Mary's Church, Barkby

You'll find St Mary's Church tucked away in the village of Barkby, just a few miles north-east of Leicester - the sort of place you'd miss entirely if you weren't paying attention. The church itself is a sturdy medieval structure that sits at the heart of this quiet farming community, and stepping inside feels like stepping back a few centuries.

The building has all the hallmarks of proper English parish church architecture - a decent chancel, sturdy stonework, and that particular smell of old wood and history that never gets old. What makes it worth the detour is the collection of monuments and brasses inside, particularly those relating to local families who've clearly mattered around these parts for centuries. The sort of place where you can actually read the inscriptions and imagine the people they commemorate.

It's ideal for anyone interested in local history or medieval England, though honestly it's a quick stop rather than a destination in itself - budget twenty minutes unless you're the type to sit and study every inscription. Free to visit during daylight hours, though you'll need to check the door or ring ahead if you want a proper look inside.

If you're staying at Reas Glamping Retreat at Zillahs Spinney nearby, Barkby makes for a pleasant cycle or short drive - combine it with a walk around the village and you've got a proper afternoon sorted. Not transformative, but genuinely rewarding if medieval churches and rural Leicestershire are your thing.