Church of St Mary Magdalene

The Church of St Mary Magdalene sits quietly in the Norfolk countryside near Bylaugh, a solid flint and stone structure that's been standing watch over this corner of East Anglia for centuries. It's the sort of place you stumble upon rather than deliberately hunt out - all austere Norman windows and weathered flintwork that speaks to proper age without any of the tourist polish.

Inside, the real draw is the medieval wall paintings. They're faded now, ghostly almost, but that's rather the point - you're seeing them much as they would have been discovered, layer after layer of whitewash chipped away to reveal glimpses of what medieval worshippers actually saw on their walls. The chancel's worth a proper look if you're into that sort of thing.

It's not a destination in itself, mind you. You won't spend two hours here. But if you're staying at Bylaugh Country Park Caravan and Campsite - a genuine five-star spot just down the road - it's absolutely worth the short detour. Bring a torch if you visit in winter; the light through those windows is honestly better when you can actually see into the corners.

Historically minded types will get the most from it. Families with small children will find it peaceful but probably underwhelming after ten minutes. Walkers heading through the Norfolk countryside should definitely factor it in. Admission details are best checked before you visit, but these rural churches are almost always free or ask for a small donation.