Our Lady Help of Christians and St Helen Church, Westcliff-on-Sea

The twin towers of this Victorian church rise unmistakably over Westcliff-on-Sea, visible from the seafront and impossible to miss once you know they're there. Our Lady Help of Christians and St Helen is a proper brick beauty, built in the 1880s when the town was still finding its feet as a seaside resort. Inside, the scale catches you off guard - high ceilings, decent stained glass, and that particular smell of old churches that's either comforting or slightly melancholy depending on your mood.

It's the sort of place you'll appreciate if you're into Victorian architecture or just need twenty minutes of quiet after a morning on the beach. Not particularly famous, which means you won't be fighting crowds. The exterior photography is strong if you're that way inclined - those towers really do photograph well against a grey Essex sky.

Walk over from the seafront and you're looking at maybe five minutes on foot. Worth combining with a stroll along the promenade rather than making a trip purely for the church. If you're staying at Essex Glamping nearby, it's an easy wander into town. Benfleet, the closest proper town, has the usual high street facilities if you need a coffee before or after.

Admission details aren't widely advertised online, so ring ahead or arrive during a service to be certain of access. Not a major draw for kids unless they're genuinely interested in Victorian buildings, but adults who appreciate solid nineteenth-century construction will find it worthwhile.