Portsmouth Quakers

The Meeting House on St Thomas Street in Portsmouth is a proper slice of Quaker history - built in 1786 and still functioning as a working place of worship. It's a compact, unassuming building that you could easily walk past if you weren't looking, which is rather fitting for a faith that eschews ostentation. Inside, the simplicity is striking: wooden benches, whitewashed walls, no altar, no ornament. Just space for quiet reflection.

Unless you're specifically interested in the history of dissenting religions in Georgian England, this isn't a major draw. But if you're staying at Hayling Island Holiday Park or one of the other caravan parks dotted around the bay, and you've got a rainy afternoon or you're curious about how ordinary people worshipped outside the Church of England, it's worth a quick look. The staff are helpful if you can catch them, though opening hours seem to vary - best ring ahead or check their noticeboard.

The real appeal is combining it with a wander around Portsmouth's waterfront. The historic dockyard and Mary Rose museum are far more substantial attractions, and Southsea seafront is a proper day out. The Quakers Meeting House sits quietly between these bigger draws, perfect for a half-hour diversion if local heritage speaks to you. Admission details are sparse online, so turn up prepared to make a small donation if they ask.

Kids will find it dull unless they're studying religious history for school. Adults with an eye for Georgian architecture or nonconformist faith will find it genuinely affecting.