Templars Chapel

The Templars Chapel stands alone on the moors above Leyburn, a squat stone building that stops you cold the moment you round the corner. This is genuinely ancient - built by the Knights Templar in the 12th century when they actually held real power in these parts. What you get is a tiny, stripped-back church with thick walls and a handful of narrow windows, the kind of place that makes you understand why medieval folk found God rather easily in the dark.

Inside, there's not much fussing about. A few stone features, flagged floor, and that particular smell of centuries-old stone that no cleaning product can shift. The real draw is the walk to get there - moorland that rolls proper, with views across to the Wensleydale valley and, on a clear day, right across North Yorkshire. Allow 90 minutes for the chapel itself and the surrounding terrain; it's not a quick tick-box.

Walkers will find this genuinely rewarding. History enthusiasts too, though you'll need some background knowledge to get the most from it - don't expect interpretive panels or a shop. The chapel works best as part of a wider Dales walk rather than a standalone stop. If you're staying at Park Leisure's holiday park near Leyburn, this makes an excellent half-day jaunt, particularly in autumn when the moorland colour picks up. Spring's good too, before the midges arrive in numbers that would make the Templars weep.