Saint Calixtus, Astley Abbotts

The church sits on a gentle rise just outside Bridgnorth, its stone walls weathered to that particular shade of grey that tells you it's been here for centuries. Saint Calixtus is a proper medieval structure, the kind where you half expect to bump your head on a low doorway and where the light through the windows falls in that dusty, golden way that makes you understand why people found God in places like this.

Inside, it's quiet. Genuinely quiet - the sort of silence that happens when a building has absorbed centuries of footsteps and whispered prayers. The interior is simple rather than showy, which seems right for a rural Shropshire parish church. There's enough architectural detail to keep history types occupied for a good half hour, but it won't demand hours of your time.

This works best as part of a ramble around Bridgnorth itself rather than a destination trip. The walk here from the town centre is pleasant enough, and once you've had a look round the church, you'll want to explore the wider area. If you're staying at Stanmore Hall or Park Grange - both excellent bases just a few miles away - you could easily include it in a morning's outing.

Getting inside depends on the season and who's around, so don't rely on finding the door unlocked. Worth trying though, especially if you're already in the area. The churchyard itself is worth a wander regardless.