Church of St Peter ad Vincula, Folkington

You won't find crowds at the Church of St Peter ad Vincula tucked into the village of Folkington, near Pevensey. The name itself - St Peter in Chains - hints at something more than your standard parish church, and wandering through its doors rewards that curiosity. The building dates back to the 12th century, with a squat Norman tower that's seen centuries of Sussex weather. Inside, it's wonderfully calm. Medieval wall paintings peek through on the chancel walls, faded but still legible if you squint. The chancel arch is proper impressive - stone ribbed and dignified in that way only Norman architecture manages.

This is the sort of place history enthusiasts will linger over for a solid hour, taking rubbings of brasses and reading the inscriptions. Kids might get restless unless they're keen on tomb-spotting and spotting the medieval details. It's free to visit, though you'll want to check locally about current opening times as information isn't widely published online.

Geographically, it sits just inland from the coastal sprawl around Pevensey, making it a worthwhile detour if you're staying at somewhere like Golden Cross Holiday Park a few miles south. It breaks up a seaside holiday nicely - fifteen minutes in here beats another hour queueing at the seafront. Don't expect crowds or facilities. It's the real thing: a working village church that hasn't been prettified for tourism.