Balsdean Church

Down a narrow lane outside Brighton, Balsdean Church sits in proper isolation - a small Saxon structure that's been quietly doing its job for over a thousand years. You won't find crowds here, which is rather the point. The church is genuinely ancient, with a nave that dates back to around the 11th century, though it's been patched up and altered plenty of times since then. The interior is modest - whitewashed walls, simple furnishings, wooden beams - but that's where the appeal lies. There's nothing overdone about it.

Walking the South Downs, this makes a good reason to deviate from the main paths. It's the sort of spot that rewards a bit of curiosity: you're looking at working church architecture that's survived centuries of neglect and renovation, largely because there's never been much money to mess with it. The churchyard itself is atmospheric on grey days, which is most days in Sussex.

The trek from Brighton takes about 45 minutes on foot if you're coming from the city proper. It's free to visit, though it's often locked, so check locally. This works best if you're already walking the Downs rather than making a special trip. If you're based at Three Ponds Holiday Park or Blackberry Wood, both within easy reach, it slots into a decent afternoon ramble. Families after something touristy will find it underwhelming. But if you're into the bones of English parish churches and don't mind a bit of solitude, it's worth the detour.