Church of St Michael and All Angels, Forden

The Church of St Michael and All Angels sits in the quiet village of Forden, just outside Welshpool, and it's the sort of place that rewards a small detour if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks. The church itself is modest - a traditional Welsh stone building that speaks more through its age than any grandeur - but what makes it worth stopping for is the genuine medieval work inside. You're looking at genuine history here, the kind that doesn't need jazzing up.

The interior has some proper interesting features if you take time to look - original stonework, church furnishings that have survived centuries, and the quiet dignity that comes from being a working parish church rather than a museum piece. It's free to visit, which is refreshing, though hours can be unpredictable so you might find it locked. That's the reality of small rural churches.

Historia enthusiasts and anyone interested in Welsh ecclesiastical architecture will find something to chew on here. Families passing through will manage twenty minutes, maybe thirty if the kids are into spotting old carvings and reading plaques. It's not a destination in itself, but if you're based at Rhyd-Y-Groes Caravan Park or Severn Caravan Resort - both within striking distance - it makes a pleasant walk or short drive combined with exploring the Welshpool area. Worth the effort? For church spotters, absolutely. For everyone else, only if you're already in the neighbourhood.