St Nicholas' Church

The Church of St Nicholas in Wimborne is one of those places you'll walk past a dozen times before actually stepping inside - and that would be a mistake. It's a proper medieval church sitting right in the heart of town, with enough architectural detail to keep history buffs occupied for a good hour or more.

Inside, you'll find a mix of Norman and later medieval work, including some genuinely impressive roof timbers and various bits of carved stone that speak to centuries of worship and community life. The church isn't trying to be anything other than what it is - a working parish church with real atmosphere rather than museum polish. That's partly what makes it worth visiting.

It's free to get in, and you can usually just turn up, though like most churches it keeps traditional hours rather than staying open round the clock. Allow 30-45 minutes if you're actually looking at things rather than just poking your head round the door. This works brilliantly if you're staying at any of the nearby parks - Ulwell is less than two miles away, or Swanage Bay View if you're fancying something slightly further afield. Wimborne itself has plenty to do, so you can pair this with the Minster or a wander round the town centre.

Walkers and history types will get the most from it. It's not a tick-box attraction, but if medieval churches are your thing, it's absolutely worth the detour.