St Mary's Church, Greasley

The church sits in Greasley village, a bit off the beaten track between Nottingham and the surrounding countryside - the sort of place you'd find yourself driving through by accident and then decide to stop properly. St Mary's is a proper medieval church, solid and unshowy, the kind of building that's been quietly getting on with things for about 800 years. Inside, there's decent stonework and some interesting tombs if you're into that sort of thing, including the Greasley family memorials. Nothing flashy, but genuine.

This works best for people who actually like old churches rather than those ticking off attractions. Heritage enthusiasts will spend a solid hour here poking about; families with young kids might manage twenty minutes before the novelty wears off. The churchyard itself is worth a walk round - peaceful, proper green, the sort of place where you can hear yourself think.

It's free to visit, obviously. Just turn up - there's usually a way in during daylight hours, though opening times aren't formally published. The village itself is quiet, so don't expect amenities nearby.

If you're basing yourself at Riddings Wood Holiday Park or Golden Valley Caravan and Camping Park - both solid four-star options within five miles - this makes an easy detour on a Sunday afternoon, particularly if you're exploring the villages around Nottingham. On its own it's not worth planning a trip round, but combined with other local walks and the nearby parks, it's a worthwhile stop if you appreciate the real, unpolished side of English church heritage.