St. Michael's and All Angels' Church

The church sits on Wantage high street, and you'll notice it immediately - the tower's impossible to miss, especially if you approach from the town centre. St. Michael's is the sort of place that rewards stopping mid-shopping to have a proper look around rather than planning a separate trip for it.

What strikes you first is the medieval stonework, though this building has been through the centuries with considerable wear and rebuild. The interior's reasonably light for a church of this age, and if you catch it when there's actually someone about, you might get the story of the various alterations and restorations. There's decent stained glass and the usual monument collection - the kind of local history written in stone that tells you who mattered in Wantage across the centuries.

It's best suited to history types or anyone with a genuine interest in ecclesiastical architecture rather than families after an afternoon's entertainment. Budget ten to twenty minutes, tops, unless you're really into the detail. Admission appears to be free, though do respect opening hours - it's an active parish church, not a museum.

If you're staying at Lorne Hill Farm just down the road, this makes a quick town detour while you're grabbing supplies in Wantage proper. The town itself has reasonable eating options and enough to keep you entertained for an hour or two between park activities, which is about the realistic assessment.