Church of Saint Therese of Lisieux

The Church of Saint Therese of Lisieux sits quietly on the outskirts of Billericay, a modest red-brick structure that won't leap out at you from the road. It's a Roman Catholic church dedicated to the French saint, and what strikes you first is the simplicity of it all - no grand Victorian stonework, no soaring nave that makes you crane your neck. Just a functional, unpretentious place of worship that serves the local Catholic community.

Inside, there's a stillness that works. The church has that particular quality of older Catholic churches in England - a bit spare, a bit worn, entirely genuine. You'll find the usual stations of the cross, some devotional candles, flowers on the altar. It's the sort of place where you can actually sit and think without feeling like you're touring a museum.

This isn't a destination attraction in its own right, frankly. You won't spend more than fifteen or twenty minutes here unless you're genuinely devoted to Saint Therese or Catholic architecture. But if you're staying at nearby Barleylands Campsite and fancy a walk into Billericay proper, it's worth a quiet visit. The town itself has decent shops and pubs worth exploring once you've had your moment of calm.

Go early morning if you want solitude, and do check opening times before you head over - it's still very much a working parish church, not a tourist site. Free entry, naturally.