Matara

The Matara is a rather unusual sight perched above Stroud - a Sri Lankan-style Buddhist temple that shouldn't really work in rural Gloucestershire, yet somehow does. It's bright, ornate, and utterly at odds with the Cotswold stone villages scattered below, which is precisely why it's worth seeking out if you're staying nearby.

You're essentially looking at a working Buddhist community space rather than a tourist attraction in the conventional sense. The temple itself is striking - all golden finials and intricate carvings - and the grounds offer decent views across the valley towards Stroud. Walking there from the town takes a good hour each way, so it's a proper excursion rather than a quick pit stop. The locals treat it seriously as a place of worship, so approach with some respect.

Historia buffs might scratch their heads over why this exists here at all, and honestly, that's half the appeal. It arrived in the 1980s as part of a Buddhist retreat community, and it's thrived quietly ever since, well away from the hipster coffee shops of Stroud centre.

If you're camped at Tobacconist Farm just outside town, this makes a cracking afternoon walk with a genuine sense of discovery at the end. It's not a five-minute stop - allocate a couple of hours including the hike up. Free to visit, though donations are welcomed. Best in decent weather; the muddy paths are no fun in the rain.