St Thomas a Becket

The church sits quietly on the edge of Powys, a solid medieval structure that catches you off guard with its sheer presence. St Thomas a Becket isn't the kind of place you stumble into by accident - you have to want to be there - but that's precisely what makes it worth the detour from Hereford.

Inside, the building speaks for itself. High ceilings, worn stone floors, and that particular light that only old churches seem to have. There's a real sense of centuries pressing down on the place. The architecture tells you this has been here far longer than most of us will be, and that matters somehow when you're standing in the nave.

It's ideal if you're into medieval history or church architecture, and genuinely absorbing if you take time to read the wall plaques and look properly at the stonework. Families might find it too quiet - there's no visitors' centre or interactive elements, just a church being a church. Allow twenty minutes to half an hour, longer if you're the type who reads everything.

If you're based at Locksters Pool or Heart of the Wye Glamping nearby, this makes a sensible morning stop before heading elsewhere. Presteigne Holiday Park sits just down the road too, so you're never far from somewhere to rest afterwards. Check locally about opening hours before you visit - these places keep their own schedules.