St Paul's Church

The Church of St Paul sits in Leicester with the kind of understated presence that makes you wonder how you've walked past it a hundred times without really noticing. It's a proper Victorian affair, built in the 1870s when Leicester was expanding and needed new places of worship to keep up with the growing population.

Inside, it's all soaring arches and that particular smell of old wood and stone that you either find deeply comforting or slightly stuffy - depends on your mood, really. The stained glass does its job without being showy, and there's a real sense of quiet here, the kind of quiet you don't get in town centres. The Victorian architecture is solid rather than flashy, which is rather fitting for a city church.

This isn't a destination in itself - be honest about that. You won't spend hours here unless you're genuinely into Victorian ecclesiastical design. But if you're staying at Fox's Furrow or Village Farm Getaway and fancy a walk into Leicester proper, it's worth fifteen minutes of your time. The walk from either park takes the better part of an hour, so it slots nicely into a morning or afternoon exploring the city.

It works best if you're interested in architecture or religious heritage. Parents with restless kids will find it brief but atmospheric - the scale and light tend to keep young ones quiet for a bit. Check opening times before you visit, as churches keep unpredictable hours.