St Peter's Catholic Church

St Peter's sits just outside St Albans, a proper Victorian Catholic church that catches you off guard with its scale and detail if you're wandering the quieter roads round here. The architecture is solid red brick Gothic revival work - nothing flashy, but it's the kind of building that rewards a proper look inside if the doors are open. You'll find yourself appreciating the craftsmanship: decent stained glass, a decent interior space, the sort of place where you can actually feel the weight of a hundred-odd years of Sunday services.

It's most useful for anyone with a genuine interest in Victorian religious architecture or those tracing local history - the church registers can sometimes throw up useful bits if you're doing family research. Kids won't linger long unless they're genuinely into old buildings, but it's worth a 20-minute detour if you're already cycling or walking round St Albans itself. The surrounding area has Cherry Green Trees and Commons Wood Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite both within easy reach if you're staying locally.

Admission should be free - that's standard for active parishes - though you'll want to check opening hours before you drive out specially. Best visited mid-week when you're less likely to interrupt services. It's the sort of stop that works brilliantly if you're combining it with St Albans Cathedral or a walk round the town centre, rather than as a destination in itself. Proper bit of local character though, well worth 20 minutes if you're in the area.