St Nicholas Church, Haxey

The church sits quietly at the heart of Haxey, a village that feels properly removed from the main drag between Doncaster and the Lincolnshire flatlands. St Nicholas is a working parish church with medieval bones - the kind of place where you'll find actual villagers doing their thing rather than tour groups with selfie sticks.

What draws people here is the architecture itself. The church has genuine character, with a tower that dominates the village and interior features that reward a proper look around. It's free to visit during daylight hours, and you won't need more than 30 minutes unless you're seriously into church history or stone work.

Historically-minded visitors will get the most from it - the building tells you something real about rural Nottinghamshire over centuries. Families passing through won't find it thrilling on its own, but it works as a stop-off if you're exploring the wider area. The village itself is unremarkable for most people, though it has that authentic English village feel that some folk find appealing.

Combine it with a stay at Misterton Holiday Park just up the road - barely two miles away - and you've got a decent base for pottering around the Doncaster hinterland. Waterfront Country Park is also close by if you need green space and activities. Neither is a destination in themselves, but St Nicholas gives you a genuine reason to be in Haxey rather than just passing through.