St Peter's & St Paul's Church

The church sits quietly in the Powys countryside, a couple of miles from Hereford, and it's one of those places that rewards a detour if you're into medieval stonework and local history. St Peter & St Paul's has that proper old English feel - the kind of building where you can actually sense centuries of worship happening in the same spot. Inside, there's some lovely carved detail and the sort of hushed atmosphere that makes you want to speak in whispers even if no one's around.

It's ideal for anyone doing a walking holiday in the Wye Valley, especially those staying at Locksters Pool or Heart of the Wye Glamping nearby. You won't spend hours here - perhaps thirty minutes if you're thorough - but it's exactly the sort of stop that breaks up a day of exploring the borderlands nicely. Walkers and history types will get more from it than families with young kids, though there's nothing off-putting about bringing them along.

Because the church sits in the heart of the Hereford and Powys area, it slots well into a bigger itinerary. You could easily visit in a morning and spend the afternoon exploring Hay-on-Wye, which is close enough to feel connected but far enough away to feel like a proper outing. The building itself is free to access in most cases - these country churches typically are - though it's worth checking if there are any specific opening hours before you visit. The walk through the surrounding countryside is almost as good as the church itself, truth be told.