St Mary's Church, Car Colston

The churchyard at Car Colston sits quiet and largely forgotten, which is precisely why it's worth the short drive from Nottingham. St Mary's is a modest medieval affair - nothing flashy, just honest stone work and the kind of peaceful graveyard that makes you slow down without meaning to.

Inside, the church keeps its secrets close. There's medieval glass if you catch the light right, and the sort of hushed air that only old churches manage. The font's the real draw - proper Norman work, the kind of thing that makes history tangible rather than theoretical. Outside, the churchyard itself feels genuinely untouched by time, which can't be said for much these days.

This is the sort of place where you'll spend twenty minutes max unless you're really into medieval architecture. But that's fine - sometimes a detour pays off precisely because it doesn't demand hours of your day. It's perfect if you're based at Janson Fishery Caravan & Camping, just a few miles south, and fancy a gentle morning walk before breakfast or a quiet afternoon break from family time on site.

Car Colston village itself is tiny - barely a cluster of houses - so don't expect shops or cafes. Bring your own peace and quiet, and you'll find it here in spades. Free to visit, naturally. Go on a weekday morning if you can; you might have the place entirely to yourself.