Purley Baptist Church

The red brick Victorian chapel on Purley High Street announces itself with a modest dignity that's easy to miss if you're not looking. Purley Baptist Church dates from the 1880s, when this corner of Surrey was still half countryside, and it's managed to keep its original character despite the suburban sprawl that's crept in around it since.

Step inside and you'll find the kind of genuine Victorian craftsmanship that modern churches struggle to replicate - decent timber work, sensible proportions, and an honest lack of pretension. The stained glass isn't showy, but it does its job properly. If you're into 19th-century religious architecture, it's worth a quiet walk around. Don't expect dramatic vaulting or elaborate stonework; this is a working chapel built for the local community, not a showpiece.

It works best if you're already in Redhill on a leisurely morning or combining it with a walk through the surrounding roads. Worth popping into if you're staying at Milberry Green Meadows nearby - gives you half an hour of solid church-spotting without having to trek across the county. The staff are friendly enough if you're visiting during opening hours, though your mileage may vary depending on services.

Families with older children who actually take an interest in Victorian buildings will get something from it. Young kids will be bored rigid within ten minutes. Allow 20 minutes maximum unless you're genuinely keen on chapel interiors.