Christ Church

The Victorian Gothic Revival church sits solid and imposing near Skipton, a proper statement piece of 19th-century religious architecture. Built in the 1870s, Christ Church commands attention with its red sandstone exterior and pointed arches - the kind of building that makes you stop and actually look up from your phone.

Inside, the craftsmanship is what strikes you. The stained glass catches afternoon light beautifully, and the timber work has aged into something genuinely atmospheric. You're not looking at a museum piece here - this is still a working church, which means the atmosphere feels lived-in rather than preserved-in-aspic.

It's best suited to architecture enthusiasts and anyone with a serious interest in Victorian ecclesiastical design. History buffs will appreciate the period detail. Families with restless kids might find 20 minutes enough unless you've got a real Gothic obsessive in tow.

There's no admission charge as far as we can tell, though opening hours are variable depending on services and events - worth phoning ahead. Allow 30-45 minutes if you're going to do it properly, taking time with the details.

If you're camping nearby - Draughton Heights is barely three miles away, with Coxons Farm Glamping Pods and Bolton Abbey Estate within easy reach - this makes a decent half-hour detour while exploring the wider Skipton area. Pair it with a walk around town itself or venture toward Bolton Abbey Estate's broader attractions. It's not a full-day sort of place, but it's exactly the kind of thing that justifies a lazy afternoon's drive through Yorkshire.