Guildford Cathedral

The cathedral sits right in the heart of Guildford, impossible to miss with its distinctive sandy-coloured stone and that copper-green spire rising above the town. It's a 20th-century build - completed in 1961 - which puts it firmly in the modern camp compared to the medieval cathedrals scattered across England. You walk in expecting something grand and ecclesiastical, and it delivers: soaring ceilings, clean lines, plenty of light flooding through the windows. The interior is surprisingly calm, even when other visitors are about.

What strikes you most is how the cathedral manages to feel both spacious and intimate. The choir stalls are handsome, the stained glass is genuinely worth pausing for, and there's a real sense of purpose to the place rather than just tourism. Most people allow 45 minutes to an hour, though you can dash round in half that if you're pressed.

It's really best suited to those with an interest in modern architecture or church design. Children might find it a bit solemn unless they're the contemplative type. The cathedral is free to enter - no ticketing nonsense - and it sits nicely as part of a wider Guildford wander: the high street is close by, the riverside walk is pleasant, and the castle ruins are a short stroll away.

If you're camping at Chantry Wood or one of the other sites dotted around the Surrey Hills, the cathedral makes for a straightforward day trip into town. Park near the town centre and you're there in five minutes on foot.