Christ Church

The parish church in Wells is one of those places you walk past a dozen times before actually stepping inside. Christ Church sits quietly in the town centre, and once you do venture through the doors, it's immediately clear why it's been here for centuries - the bones of the building have genuine presence. The interior has that particular smell all old churches seem to share, mixed with the calm that comes from high ceilings and stone walls that have absorbed rather a lot of history. If you're staying at one of the caravan parks nearby - Bath Mill Lodge is barely two miles away, and Center Parcs Longleat Forest just over five - it's an easy detour worth twenty minutes of anyone's time. Architecture enthusiasts will find more to unpick than casual visitors, though the craftsmanship is obvious enough that you don't need expert knowledge to appreciate it. Don't expect a major production or visitor facilities. This is a working church first, tourist attraction second, which somehow makes it more rather than less worth visiting. Wells itself is genuinely worth a morning's poke about, and Christ Church fits naturally into that rhythm. Families with very young children might find the time limit of their patience reached quickly, but older kids interested in old buildings will get something from it. Access is usually free - as is typical for parish churches - though hours can be variable depending on services and events, so best to ring ahead or check locally when you arrive.