Prettygate Baptist Church

The Victorian brick facade of Prettygate Baptist Church sits on the eastern edge of Colchester, a sturdy chapel that's been part of the local community since the 1800s. It's the sort of place that rewards a quiet visit rather than a rushed photo stop - the interior has that peaceful, stripped-back quality typical of Baptist chapels, with simple wooden pews and good natural light streaming through the windows.

This is genuinely worth a detour if you're interested in Victorian nonconformist architecture or tracing local religious history. The building itself tells you something about 19th-century Colchester - the attention to detail in the brickwork, the proportions, the way it sits in its neighbourhood. It won't take long, mind you. Budget 20 minutes if you're able to get inside, though do check opening times in advance as it's not a constantly staffed venue.

The real value comes if you're doing a broader Colchester walk, combining it with the Roman town centre or the castle. If you're staying at Teybrook Orchard, the holiday park just five miles out, this makes an easy afternoon trip into town. It's a solid add-on rather than a main event - the sort of thing that slots nicely into a day when you've already seen the bigger attractions. Worth knowing about, but don't rearrange your holiday around it.