Temple Church

You'll find Temple Church tucked away in the heart of London's legal quarter, just off Fleet Street. It's genuinely one of the capital's most underrated spots - a circular Norman church that feels almost impossible to stumble upon unless you know where to look. The round nave is the real draw here, modelled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and built by the Knights Templar back in the 12th century.

Inside, the light filters through stained glass onto effigies of medieval knights lying in full armour - it's atmospheric in the way many London churches simply aren't. The Victorian restoration work is obvious but not jarring. Most visitors are either law students from the nearby Inns of Court or fans of Dan Brown's 'The Da Vinci Code', though you'll often find the place quiet enough to actually hear yourself think.

Historygeeks will spend a solid hour here; casual tourists might manage twenty minutes. The building's been battle-scarred - World War II bombing destroyed the roof, which was painstakingly reconstructed - and there's a palpable sense of endurance about the place.

It's free to pop in, though opening hours can be erratic depending on legal services, so check ahead before making the trip. If you're staying at Lovat Parks nearby, this is worth the short drive into central London for a proper piece of medieval London that hasn't been mucked about with too much.