Our Lady Of Victories RC Church

The red-brick Victorian church sits quietly on the edge of Southwell, looking rather grand for what is ostensibly a modest Catholic place of worship. Our Lady of Victories was built in the 1880s, and you can tell immediately from the way the stone work catches the light that this was constructed with proper care and no small amount of local pride.

Inside, the atmosphere shifts entirely. It's cool and calm, with that particular smell churches carry - candle wax, old wood, stone dust. The interior decoration is restrained but warm, the kind of space where you can actually think. If you're into Victorian religious architecture or simply after a moment's quiet contemplation, it's worth the detour from Southwell's cathedral precinct.

The church isn't a major tourist draw, which is rather the point. You'll walk in, spend twenty minutes looking about, and leave feeling like you've discovered something for yourself rather than ticking a box. It works well if you're staying at Southwell Retreat or New Hall Farm and fancy a gentle wander into town - both are within easy reach. The walk into Southwell itself is pleasant enough, and once you're there, the cathedral and the various shops and tearooms give you reason to linger.

No admission fee, naturally. There's no gift shop or café attached, so come prepared. Best visited on a weekday morning when it's genuinely quiet, not on a Sunday when services might restrict access.