St Mary's Luton Parish Church

The tower of St Mary's rises above Luton town centre like a proper statement - all perpendicular Gothic lines and considerable height. Built over several centuries starting in the 15th, this parish church is the sort of place that rewards a proper look inside rather than a quick snap from the street.

What strikes you immediately is the sheer scale of the nave. The windows flood the space with light, and the woodwork - particularly the choir stalls - shows real craftsmanship. There's medieval glass if you know where to look, and the overall effect is one of genuine grandeur for what was, at its heart, a working parish church for ordinary people.

It's free to wander in during opening hours, though I'd ring ahead given these things are often locked outside services. Allow 20-30 minutes if you're genuinely interested in church architecture; less if you're just passing through Dunstable way and want a quick cultural fix.

Honestly, it's not going to be the highlight of a week's holiday, but if you're staying at Merlin Farm Camping near Whipsnade Zoo - which is only a few miles off - it's worth a detour into town for an hour. The Chiltern Hills around here offer proper walks, and this church provides decent urban contrast to all that countryside. History types will appreciate the layering of different periods; others might find 20 minutes enough. It's solid rather than spectacular, but that's rather the point of parish churches.