Hitcham Parish Church

The flint-and-stone church sitting quietly on the edge of Hitcham village feels like it's been here forever, which isn't far wrong. This is proper Suffolk countryside - the kind where you actually hear birdsong instead of traffic, and the church itself dates back to medieval times, with the sort of solid Norman architecture that makes you realise how long people have been worshipping in this exact spot.

Inside, it's a working parish church rather than a museum piece, so there's a genuine sense of community still using the place. The tower's worth a look if you like that sort of thing - solid and unpretentious, the way East Anglian churches tend to be. You're not looking at stunning stained glass or jaw-dropping monuments here; what you get is authenticity and a bit of quiet.

It's the kind of stop that rewards a short detour if you're already exploring the Bury Saint Edmunds area. Apple Mount Retreat sits just three or four miles away, so if you're basing yourself there for a park holiday, this makes a sensible half-hour walk or quick drive to break up the day. Walkers especially will appreciate it - the village itself is lovely for a ramble, and the church works well as a focal point rather than a destination in itself.

Really, Hitcham works best if you're into old buildings and rural Suffolk landscapes. Don't expect much fanfare, but that's precisely the point. It's genuine, it's free to look around (almost certainly), and it won't take long.