All Saints Church, Bale

The church sits on a slight rise in the village of Bale, just east of Fakenham, and you'll spot its angular flint tower well before you reach it. All Saints is one of Norfolk's quieter parish churches, the sort of place where you're more likely to hear birdsong than footsteps on a Sunday afternoon.

Inside, there's genuine medieval work - the nave and chancel date back to the 14th century, and the flint flushwork on the exterior is typical of East Anglian craftsmanship. The fixtures aren't showy or heavily restored, which is precisely why it matters. You get a genuine sense of what these churches actually looked like once the Victorian enthusiasts moved on.

It's a five-minute stop, frankly, unless you're genuinely into church architecture or brass rubbings. Family groups with restless kids will find it too quiet. But if you're staying at Old Brick Kilns or North Norfolk Camping nearby and fancy a proper wander round the Fakenham area, it's worth the detour - especially combined with a walk through the village itself.

The church is typically open during daylight hours (Norfolk churches generally are), and admission is free. Allow 15 minutes maximum unless you're taking photographs or doing rubbings. Best visited mid-morning when there's decent light through the windows and you'll have the place to yourself. It's the sort of spot that rewards a slow park holiday rather than rushing between major attractions.