The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and the English Martyrs, Cambridge

Walking down Hills Road in Cambridge, you'll spot the twin spires of this Catholic church rising unexpectedly above the Victorian terraces - a bold statement of faith in a city dominated by Anglican colleges. The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and the English Martyrs is a proper Victorian Gothic revival building, completed in 1890, with that satisfying red-brick solidity that feels genuinely rooted rather than merely decorative.

Inside, the interior lives up to the architectural promise. The nave is light and airy, with decent stained glass and a real sense of purpose about the space. The dedication to English Martyrs carries genuine historical weight - this was built when English Catholicism was reasserting itself after centuries of suppression, and you can feel that defiance in the stonework.

It's worth the detour if you're interested in Victorian religious architecture or the story of Catholic revival in England. Casual tourists doing the college circuit won't find much here beyond the building itself, but if you're spending time in Cambridge - perhaps based at Cherry Hinton Caravan Club or one of the other parks dotted around the city - it's a 20-minute walk that breaks up the endless King's College queue.

Admission appears to be free, and you can pop in between college visits. Allow 30 minutes if you want to look properly at the interior. Go midweek if you prefer quiet - weekends can be busy with services and visitors.