Church of St Peter & St Paul, Heydon

The Church of St Peter and St Paul sits at the heart of Heydon village, east of Norwich, and it's one of those places that rewards a proper wander around the churchyard as much as stepping inside. The building itself is a solid piece of 15th-century Norfolk workmanship - flint and stone exterior, decent tower, the sort of church that anchors a village rather than dominates it.

Inside, the real draw is the rood screen. It's carved wood of the sort you don't see everywhere, and it's been standing there for centuries doing exactly what it was meant to do. The light's often good through the windows, which makes the whole space feel less heavy than some of these old churches can feel. You get a genuine sense of continuity here - generations of Heydon families have walked these same aisles.

This isn't a destination that demands half a day. Twenty minutes to an hour is realistic, depending on how long you linger and whether you get chatting to anyone about the history. The churchyard's worth a stroll if the weather's decent. Families with young children might find it a quick stop rather than a full activity, but walkers heading through the Norfolk countryside will appreciate it as a logical pause point.

If you're staying at Ashcroft Glamping nearby, it's absolutely worth the short drive to see what a functioning village church actually looks like rather than another over-restored tourist box. Go when you can catch the door open - visiting is often weather-dependent rather than clock-dependent.