Therfield Chapel

The chapel sits tucked into the village of Therfield, just east of Royston, and it's one of those places that rewards a random detour more than it does a dedicated pilgrimage. What you get is a proper medieval church with enough character to justify stopping the car, though it won't keep you occupied for hours.

Inside, there's some lovely 14th-century work - the kind of thing that makes you squint at the stonework and actually appreciate the craftsmanship. The scale is intimate rather than grand, which means it feels less like a museum piece and more like a building that's been doing its job for 700 years. If you're into churches, you'll find proper details. If you're not, twenty minutes is probably your limit.

The real pull is combining it with a walk around the village itself. It's the sort of place where you can actually park and stretch your legs without crowds getting in the way. Families with kids might find it a bit dull unless they're already keen on old buildings - there's no interactive elements or visitor centre faffing about.

If you're based at Guilden Gate Glamping nearby, which is excellent by the way, Therfield Chapel makes a decent morning detour before heading to somewhere with more going on. Worth the fifteen minutes off the main road, but plan your route around something bigger rather than treating it as a destination in itself.