St Peter, Lowick

The church sits in the village of Lowick, a few miles south of Peterborough, and it's one of those quiet discoveries that makes you wonder why more people don't wander off the main roads to find it. St Peter is a proper medieval parish church, all stone and history, with a tower that rises above the flat Northamptonshire countryside in a way that feels almost defiant.

Inside, the real draw is the collection of alabaster monuments and memorials - some intricate, some worn by centuries of visitors running their fingers over the carving. The church has been substantially restored over the years, which means the interior is light and well-maintained rather than damp and gloomy. There's medieval glass to spot if you look carefully, and the sort of peaceful atmosphere you only get in village churches that aren't overrun with tourist coaches.

Walkers and local history enthusiasts will get the most from a visit here. It's not a jaw-dropping spectacle - don't expect it to stop you in your tracks - but it's genuinely interesting if you enjoy unpacking medieval craftsmanship and church architecture. Allow half an hour, maybe forty-five minutes if you're taking time to read the memorials properly.

If you're staying at Brightside Caravan Park nearby, this is the sort of easy detour that fills a quiet afternoon well. The village itself is small and rural, so combine it with a walk through the surrounding countryside rather than expecting much in terms of amenities or facilities around the church itself.