Hawkenbury United Reformed Church

A modest red-brick United Reformed Church sitting quietly on the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells, Hawkenbury is the kind of place you'd stumble upon by accident while driving through the Kent countryside. The building itself dates back to the 19th century and has that understated Victorian solidity about it - nothing flashy, just solid brickwork and a small bell tower that's seen over a century of Sunday mornings.

Inside, it's intimate rather than grand. Original wooden pews, a simple organ, and the sort of light that filters through rather ordinary windows. If you're into church architecture or the social history of rural English Nonconformism, there's genuine interest here. For everyone else, it's a quick ten-minute stop if you're passing through the area.

The real value of visiting comes when you're based at one of the nearby glamping and camping spots - Apple Acres or Hopgarden are both within four miles. The church works as part of a wider walk around the villages east of Tunbridge Wells rather than a destination in itself. Admission is free (as these things usually are), and there's rarely a crowd, which means you can actually sit and think if the mood takes you.

Check opening times before you go - parish churches keep odd hours depending on services and maintenance. It's not for everyone, but if quiet, genuinely old English churches appeal to you, this one's worth the detour from your holiday base.