Isle of grain

The Church of St Augustine sits alone on the Isle of Grain, a blunt industrial peninsula jutting into the Thames estuary near Sheerness. It's an odd spot for a church - surrounded by power stations and refineries, the medieval tower rises out of flat marshland like a stubborn relic refusing to be bulldozed by progress.

Inside, it's surprisingly intimate. The nave is small and whitewashed, with decent medieval stonework if you look past the modern fixtures. The real appeal isn't architectural brilliance - it's the sheer strangeness of the setting. You're standing in what feels like the middle of nowhere, in a place most people drive past without noticing.

Historically minded visitors will find it worth a twenty-minute detour. The church dates back centuries, though most of what survives is 15th century work. There's genuine atmosphere here, the kind that comes from isolation rather than heritage marketing.

Walking to it requires a bit of effort - you'll need to navigate the industrial area and muddy paths, so proper shoes matter. Allow an hour total if you're coming from Sheerness (under three miles away). It's free to visit, though hours can be erratic and the key might be held locally.

Pair this with Sheerness Holiday Park if you're basing yourself in the area. The church won't occupy your whole day, but it's the sort of slightly awkward detour that makes a holiday genuinely memorable rather than just comfortable.