St Thomas à Becket's Church

The church sits quietly on the edge of Salisbury, a proper medieval affair that most visitors to the area completely walk past on their way to Stonehenge. St Thomas à Becket's Church is worth stopping for though, particularly if you're camping at Brades Acre just down the road - it's practically on your doorstep.

What you're looking at is a 12th-century parish church with that satisfying mix of Norman and later medieval work. The interior has genuine character - original stonework, a decent roof, the kind of authentic atmosphere you won't find in over-polished tourist attractions. It's the sort of place where you can actually stand quietly and feel the weight of centuries rather than being herded through like cattle.

Families with older kids will get something from it; younger children will get bored after ten minutes, which is fair enough. Walkers and history types are the real audience here. If you're tackling the Stonehenge circuit from one of the nearby campsites, this makes a sensible detour - adds half an hour to your morning and breaks up the walk nicely.

Access appears to be free, though it's worth checking locally before you go - these smaller churches can have unpredictable opening hours. The real beauty of it is the lack of crowds. You won't find tour buses queuing outside. That's exactly why it's worth your time.