St Oswald's Church, Ashbourne

The church dominates Ashbourne's market square with its soaring spire - you can spot it from miles around if you're driving through Derbyshire. St Oswald's is a proper medieval parish church, largely 14th-century, and it's genuinely one of the finest examples of Decorated Gothic in the Midlands. The interior has that cool, slightly austere feel of old English churches, with decent monuments and some original stonework that actually rewards a closer look rather than a quick walk-through.

Inside, the craftsmanship is what gets you. The roof beams alone are worth studying, and there are some fine alabaster tombs if you're into that sort of thing. It's the sort of place that works well as a break during a walk around Ashbourne town centre rather than a destination in itself - budget 20 to 30 minutes, depending on how much time you spend reading plaques and peering at carved details.

For families based at any of the nearby parks - Callow Top is less than a mile away - it's a straightforward walk into the town and worth a quick visit before grabbing lunch. History types will find more depth here than casual tourists. The church is free to enter during daylight hours, though opening times can be variable so check locally. If you're staying in the area and exploring the Derbyshire landscape, this is well worth the five-minute detour, but don't expect to lose an afternoon here.