Christ Church, Eastbourne

The Victorian church sits on the seafront with its back practically to the shingle beach, which means you get sea views from inside if you angle yourself right. Christ Church is all red brick and Gothic Revival, built in 1853 when Eastbourne was being carved out as a resort town. It's the sort of place where you go because you're already in the area, not because you'll trek across Sussex for it.

Walking in, the interior is airy enough - nothing that will make you gasp, but proper Victorian work with decent stained glass and a real sense of the era when the town was being developed. The location matters more than the architecture, to be honest. If you're staying at Pevensey Bay Holiday Park or Warren Wood Country Park, both within spitting distance, it's worth an hour's wander on a damp afternoon.

History types will appreciate the place as part of understanding Eastbourne's Victorian boom. Families won't find it gripping - kids get restless quickly in quiet churches - but it's useful if you're combining a promenade stroll with a bit of cultural cover. You can usually just walk in during daylight hours, though it's worth checking locally as opening times vary.

Pair it with a walk along the seafront or pop into town proper to remind yourself why seaside towns matter. It's not a standalone draw, but it fits neatly into a proper coastal day out.