Bodham Church

The tower of Bodham Church rises unexpectedly from the Norfolk landscape east of Sheringham, a proper medieval landmark that catches you off guard when you round the corner. It's a 15th-century structure with a round tower - that distinctive Norfolk style - and the kind of quiet churchyard that makes you want to slow down and actually look at things. Inside, there's genuine character: old stonework, the sort of pews that have held generations of parishioners, and that particular smell of ancient churches that's half-way between damp and comfort.

You're not looking at a grand cathedral here. This is a working parish church, modest in scale, the sort of place locals have worshipped for centuries. History enthusiasts will appreciate the medieval fabric and the round tower design that's typical of East Anglian ecclesiastical architecture. It's the kind of stop that rewards a careful wander rather than a quick tick-box visit - spend 20 minutes rather than five.

Access appears to be free, though you'll want to check locally in Sheringham whether there are specific visiting times or if it's open for services only. It works brilliantly as part of a broader coastal Norfolk holiday. If you're based at Woodlands Caravan Park or Kelling Heath Holiday Park nearby, adding a rural church crawl to your itinerary breaks up the beach days nicely. The drive takes minutes from either site. Not a headline attraction, but exactly the sort of genuine parish church that gives Norfolk its particular character - worth the detour if you're staying locally and interested in the real backbone of English villages.