Westhope Church

The drive out to Westhope Church from Craven Arms takes you properly into the Shropshire Hills - rolling green valleys and proper countryside. The church itself is a modest Norman structure that sits quietly in its own grounds, and that's rather the point. What draws people here is the interior, which contains a remarkable medieval rood screen that somehow survived the Reformation when so many others didn't. Standing in front of it, you get a real sense of what these churches would have looked like five centuries ago.

It's not a major draw - you won't spend hours here - but that suits the place fine. Give yourself 30 minutes to have a proper look around and read up on the history. The churchyard is peaceful and well-kept, the kind of spot where you might sit on a bench for a bit if the weather's decent. Architecture enthusiasts and anyone interested in medieval England will get the most from a visit; casual churchgoers will find it pleasant but brief.

If you're camping at Greenway Touring and Glamping Park or Church Stretton Camp and Fish just down the road, Westhope makes an easy morning detour worth the short drive. It's the sort of place that rewards you for wandering off the main tourist trail, but only if you genuinely care about the medieval stuff. Don't expect gift shops or car parks - this is the real thing, untouched and uncommodified. Free entry, as with most rural churches, though you'll want to check locally before making the journey.