Radwinter, St Mary

The church sits quietly on the edge of Radwinter village, a modest medieval building that rewards a proper look around. St Mary's is the kind of place where you'll spend twenty minutes if you're passing through, or longer if you're the type who likes running your fingers along ancient stonework and reading every brass plaque.

What strikes you first is how little it's changed. The flint and stone exterior has weathered centuries without fuss, and inside, the windows tell you this is proper Essex church architecture - nothing showy, just solid and sincere. If you've got an eye for medieval detail, the font and chancel are worth your time. Families won't find it thrilling for more than half an hour, but it's the sort of thing kids remember when they're older - the quiet, the age, the smell of old wood.

It's free to wander in, and there's no set visiting hours that I could pin down, so treat it as a turn-up kind of stop. You'll want to pair this with the glamping sites nearby - Hidden Gem and Readers Field are both within fifteen minutes' drive, making it an easy addition to a countryside stay near Saffron Walden. The village itself is tiny, so don't expect to spend hours here. But if you're into Saxon and medieval churches, this one's genuine and uncluttered. East Anglia's full of them, but Radwinter's worth the detour if you're in the area.