Bellingham Methodist United Reformed Church

The Methodist and United Reformed Church sitting on the main street in Bellingham is one of those solid Victorian chapels you find all over northern England - red brick, proper proportions, the kind of building that's been holding the community together since the 1870s. It's not going to blow your mind architecturally, but there's something worth appreciating about the straightforward dignity of it all.

Inside, the layout is typical of its kind: galleries, a central pulpit, decent woodwork. The sort of place that would have been the beating heart of village life for generations. If you're interested in Victorian nonconformist architecture or local social history, it rewards a proper look. For most people visiting Bellingham on a holiday, though - and there's no shortage of caravan parks within walking distance, including the Camping and Caravanning Club Site just down the road - it's more of a quick stop than a destination in itself.

You'll find it easily enough if you're wandering the village, and unlike many churches, you might actually be able to get inside without ringing ahead. No entry fee, naturally. But honestly? Unless you're the sort who gets genuinely excited about Methodist chapels, combine it with a walk along the Tyne valley or a visit to somewhere with a bit more visual drama. It's decent local colour, but it won't keep you occupied for long. Hexham, about ten miles south, has far more to offer if you're after proper historical sites.