St Mary's Catholic Church

The Catholic church sitting just outside Brewood is worth a proper look if you're passing through - it's got more character than you'd expect from a Staffordshire village spot. The building itself is striking, with that solid Victorian confidence you find in mid-19th century religious architecture, and stepping inside reveals some genuinely fine detail work. The stained glass pulls light across the interior in a way that catches you off guard, and there's a real sense of craftsmanship in the stonework.

It's the kind of place that appeals to architecture types and anyone interested in how the Catholic community established itself in the Midlands after the changes of the 1800s. You won't need more than 20 or 30 minutes here - it's compact and straightforward - but that's rather the point. It's a moment of quiet rather than a full afternoon's outing.

If you're staying at one of the camping or caravan parks scattered around the area - Oakland's barely a mile away, or you've got the Cannock Chase options further out - this makes a easy detour into Brewood itself. Pair it with a walk around the village or a pint at one of the local pubs and you've got a pleasant morning sorted. The real draw of the region is Cannock Chase itself, which dominates the holiday park scene, but this church gives you a reason to actually stop and look at where you've parked rather than just heading straight to the forest.