St Michael & All Angels Church, Summertown

The church sits on the high street in Summertown, a leafy suburb just north of Oxford, and it's the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. St Michael and All Angels is a proper Victorian affair - all red brick and honest craftsmanship - which makes a pleasant change from the honey-coloured stone you find elsewhere round here.

Inside, the windows are decent without being show-stopping, and there's enough quiet space to sit for twenty minutes if you've had your fill of Oxford's tourist crowds. The church doesn't demand hours of your time, which is refreshing. Most visitors spend half an hour looking around, reading the boards, maybe lighting a candle. It works well as a breather during a walking tour of north Oxford rather than a destination in itself.

Kidlington's your nearest proper town, though Summertown itself has got shops and cafes that are worth a look. If you're staying at Greenhill Leisure Park or Weston Caravan and Campsite - both solid options within five or six miles - you could easily swing by on a morning before heading into central Oxford or out towards the countryside. Diamond Caravan Park is closer but reviews suggest it's showing its age a bit.

Really, this works best if you're already in the area with time to kill. Don't drive out of your way for it. But if you're exploring Summertown's quiet residential streets and fancy a moment of peace, it's a welcome spot.