St Oswald's Church, Lythe

The churchyard at St Oswald's sits on a steep hillside above Lythe village, commanding views across the North Yorkshire coast that justify the scramble up. Inside, the church itself is a proper medieval affair with 12th-century bones, though it's the position that really gets you - perched high enough that on a clear day you can see why someone thought this was worth building a church here centuries ago.

It's the sort of spot that rewards walkers passing through rather than a planned destination in itself. The climb to the gate takes ten minutes from the village, and the churchyard itself is quiet enough that you'll likely have it to yourself. History buffs will appreciate the age of the stonework, but families with young children might find the steep approach a bit much for what amounts to a modest church and a view.

Closest to Whitby by a few miles, St Oswald's works well as a waypoint on a longer walk around the area. If you're based at Broadings Farm Caravan Site or Whitby Cliff Top Touring Park, it's an easy morning excursion that doesn't require hours of commitment. The views alone make the leg work worthwhile, though go when the weather's decent - moorland drizzle doesn't improve the appeal. No facilities at the church itself, so bring what you need from Whitby.