St Mary The Virgin

The church sits quietly in Powys, a proper medieval parish church that rewards a detour if you're exploring the Wye Valley. St Mary The Virgin has the sort of understated charm that appeals to architecture enthusiasts and history buffs - medieval stonework, period features - without the crowds you'd get at the tourist hotspots.

What you're looking at is a working parish church, so it functions as a place of worship first. That means opening hours can be variable, and you'll want to check ahead or catch the door open during daylight. The building itself tells a story of the region's religious life stretching back centuries, which matters if you're into that sort of thing. Casual visitors popping in for five minutes might not get much from it, but spend half an hour looking at the details and you'll see what's survived and what's been added over the centuries.

If you're based at one of the glamping spots nearby - By the Wye is just down the road - this becomes an easy morning walk rather than a special trip. The Hay-on-Wye Caravan Park puts you a mile away, making it a reasonable bike ride or stroll. Combine it with the broader attractions of Hay itself and the Wye Valley walking routes, and it slots into a proper Mid Wales itinerary.

Worth a visit if medieval churches are your thing. Not worth going out of your way for if they're not.