Chichester Cathedral

The cathedral sits right in the middle of Chichester's city center, impossible to miss with its spire rising above the Georgian streets. It's one of England's finest examples of Romanesque architecture, built starting in 1075, and the inside is genuinely striking - high stone vaults, stained glass that catches the light properly, and a real sense of age in the way the stone has worn smooth over nearly a thousand years.

You can wander around freely and spend as long as you like looking at the details. The carved stone work is exceptional if you're into that sort of thing, and the modern stained glass window by Marc Chagall - installed in 1978 - is unexpected and rather moving. Most people spend an hour here, though architecture buffs could easily camp out longer.

It works brilliantly as part of a broader Chichester town walk. Pop in before grabbing lunch on East Street, or combine it with a stroll around the medieval street grid. The cathedral is also genuinely central if you're based at one of the nearby holiday parks - Chichester Lakeside is barely over a mile away, making it an easy morning visit without needing the car.

Worth knowing: admission is free, though donations are appreciated. No set opening times published, but it's typically accessible during daylight hours and for services. If you're bringing kids, they'll probably tolerate it for 30 minutes max unless they're genuinely interested in medieval architecture. For history types or anyone who appreciates old buildings, though, it's absolutely worth the detour.