Corpus Christi Catholic Church

The red brick facade of Corpus Christi is impossible to miss once you're wandering through Christchurch's town centre. It's a Victorian Catholic church - built in the 1880s - and walking through the doors feels like stepping into someone's careful, quiet world. The interior is properly lovely: ornate ceiling work, stained glass that catches the light properly, and the sort of solemn peace you only get in older churches. The church remains active, so you'll want to check service times before turning up with a camera and a curious attitude.

This one's best suited to architecture enthusiasts and anyone with a genuine interest in Victorian religious buildings rather than casual day-trippers. You'll spend twenty minutes inside if you're taking it slowly, maybe less if you're just popping in from the high street. It costs nothing to enter, though many visitors leave a donation.

If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Meadowbank is barely two miles away - it makes a sensible addition to a morning's exploration of Christchurch proper. The town itself has enough going on to fill an afternoon, and the church sits comfortably within that. Sandhills and Hoburne Park are close enough that you could easily base yourself there and take a short drive or bus ride in. Worth the detour if you're interested in church architecture, less essential if you're purely after outdoor attractions.