The Church of St Kyneburgha, Castor

A short drive from Peterborough brings you to this Saxon church that's genuinely worth the detour if you're into Anglo-Saxon architecture - and frankly, even if you're not. St Kyneburgha's has the real thing: a tower that dates back to around 1000 AD, solid and purposeful, with those distinctive long-and-short stone quoins that make you believe you're looking at something genuinely old.

Inside, the church is surprisingly light and spacious. The nave feels honest - no overwrought Victorian restoration work has mucked about with the essentials. You get a sense of how these spaces actually functioned in medieval times, which matters more than you'd expect when you're standing in it.

It's the kind of place that appeals to architecture enthusiasts and history types more than casual visitors. Kids will probably get restless after twenty minutes unless you make a game of spotting the oldest bits. Allow an hour if you're genuinely interested; fifteen minutes if you're just passing through Castor.

Admission is free, which is proper decent given how intact the building is. If you're based at The Nest Glamping or Castle Farm Campsite - both within five miles - it's an easy morning outing before heading elsewhere in the area. Castor itself is small and quiet, which means you won't be fighting crowds. Rockingham Forest Park offers more substantial grounds if you want to combine this with proper walking, but St Kyneburgha's works best as a solo venture on a calm morning.