Our Lady of Perpetual Succour

This red-brick Catholic church sits quietly on the edge of Gillingham, just a few miles east of Beccles, serving the local parish with understated devotion. It's a working place of worship rather than a museum piece, so you'll want to check ahead before visiting - the parish website has details, though opening hours aren't always clearly posted online.

Inside, you'll find the sort of intimate, lived-in atmosphere that appeals to architecture enthusiasts and anyone with an interest in rural Catholic history. The church itself is modest - there's no grand nave or soaring stonework - but that's precisely the point. It's the real deal: a community church that's been doing its job for generations without fuss or fanfare.

This works best as a quiet stop during a broader exploration of the area rather than a destination in itself. The surrounding countryside is the real draw. If you're staying at Dawn Chorus Holidays or Henstead Fields - both excellent caravan and camping spots within a few miles - a gentle afternoon cycling or walking route through Gillingham could easily incorporate a visit here. Beccles itself has enough Georgian architecture and riverside walks to fill a proper day out.

Go if you're the sort who likes finding quiet churches and understanding how communities actually worship, rather than just ticking off tourist attractions. Allow 20 minutes. It costs nothing, and there's something rather lovely about that.