St John Southworth

Catholic martyrs don't usually get their own parish churches, but St John Southworth managed both sainthood and this rather fine Victorian building in his honour. The church sits in the heart of Fleetwood, dedicated to a Lancashire priest who met a grisly end at Tyburn in 1654 during the English Civil War. His story alone makes this worth a quick visit if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Haven Cala Gran or Broadwater.

Inside, the stained glass windows tell Southworth's tale with typical Victorian drama. The altar piece is particularly well done, though it's the relative quiet of the place that strikes you most after the bustle of Fleetwood's seafront. Families with older children who can appreciate a bit of local history will get something out of a brief stop here.

Twenty minutes is plenty unless you're especially interested in Catholic history or church architecture. The building itself is solid rather than spectacular, but it's free to enter and offers a proper breather from the seaside crowds. Worth combining with a walk around Fleetwood's town centre, though don't expect it to rival Blackpool's attractions just down the coast.