St Mary's Church, Masham

The church sits right in the heart of Masham, a proper working market town between Ripon and Wensleydale, and it's one of those places that rewards a proper look around. St Mary's is a big, confident medieval building - all soaring arches and light pouring through tall windows - and the interior is genuinely impressive without feeling stuffy or over-restored.

What gets most people is the sheer scale of the nave and the quality of the stonework. There's real craftsmanship here, from the carved capitals to the window tracery. If you're into church architecture, you could spend a solid hour picking through the details. Families with younger kids might manage twenty minutes before restlessness sets in - it's not the sort of place with interactive displays or anything - but older children interested in history will find it worthwhile.

It's free to wander in (as most parish churches are), and there's usually someone about if you want more information, though opening hours aren't fixed. Go on a weekday morning if you want peace. Weekends in summer bring more visitors, particularly during the twice-yearly Sheep Fair when Masham gets properly rammed.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Sleningford Watermill is closest at under four miles away, or Camp Kátur Glamping if you fancy something more upmarket - St Mary's makes for a pleasant town walk combined with a nose around Masham's independent shops and pubs. The town's compact enough that you won't spend more than an hour here total, but it's worth the detour when you're exploring this corner of North Yorkshire.