Greatham Old Church

A half-ruined 12th-century church stands alone in the Hampshire countryside near Petersfield, and it's the sort of place that makes you understand why people bothered walking for miles on a Sunday. Greatham Old Church isn't much to look at from a distance - crumbling flint walls, a tower that's seen better centuries, windows mostly gone - but step inside and the quiet hits you properly. The chancel arch is still standing. There are medieval features that haven't budged in 900 years.

You won't spend hours here. Thirty minutes, maybe forty if you're into reading old stones and taking photos. It's free to visit and there's no keeper or opening hours nonsense - the place just sits there, accessible more or less whenever. The real appeal is for history types and anyone who likes a bit of solitude with their archaeology. Kids will get bored quickly unless they're the sort who enjoy climbing about in ruins.

The location is its strength for a park holiday. Adhurst Yurts sits just three miles away, perfect if you're after something low-key and quirky - they've got that whole artisan skills thing going on if you want to potter about making things between your site visits. Feather Down Manor Farm is four and a half miles further south, closer to the South Downs proper. Either base works well if you're combining a bit of village wandering around Petersfield with some actual countryside. Greatham Old Church makes a decent punctuation mark on a walk rather than a destination itself.