St Mary's Church, Iffley

The church sits just south of Oxford, tucked into the village of Iffley like something from a different century altogether. St Mary's is a proper Norman church - and when I say Norman, I mean the real deal, dating back to the 12th century with that distinctive Romanesque architecture that makes you actually understand why people got excited about stone and arches.

Walking in, the rounded arches hit you first. They're thick, substantial things, decorated with geometric patterns that feel almost hypnotic if you stare at them long enough. The west front is the star turn - a fortress of stone with layers of moulding and columns that suggest the builders took their time and took it seriously. Inside, the nave is cool and spare, letting the architecture do all the talking.

It's the sort of place that appeals to architecture types and church enthusiasts far more than casual tourists. You'll need maybe thirty to forty minutes to properly look around, longer if you're genuinely interested in Norman stonework. Free to enter, no faffing about with tickets.

Staying at one of the nearby parks - Cedar Hollow Oxford or Durham Leys Farm are closest at around three and a half miles - makes it an easy morning visit before heading into central Oxford proper. It's not a spectacular day out on its own, but it's brilliant if you're already in the area and fancy something quieter than the busier colleges. The village of Iffley itself is pleasant enough for a walk, though there's not much else to detain you.