Saint John the Baptist, Harrietsham

The church sits quietly at the heart of Harrietsham village, about five miles south of Maidstone, and it's the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. Saint John the Baptist is mostly 14th century - proper medieval work - though there's earlier Norman bits tucked in if you know where to look. The interior has that particular smell all old churches have: stone, polish, and something timeless.

What strikes you first is how unrestored it feels compared to many Kent churches. The chancel's worth a proper look, and there are some decent monuments if you're into that sort of thing. It's not overwhelming - you'll spend twenty minutes here, maybe thirty if you're thorough.

Walkers will appreciate it as a natural stop on a loop through the village, and if you're into medieval architecture, the piecemeal construction tells a genuine story rather than a sanitised one. It's free to visit, and there's no faffing about with opening times - village churches generally stay unlocked during daylight.

If you're staying at Go Glamp nearby, it makes a decent afternoon wander. Don't expect anything dramatic - this isn't Chartres or even the showy churches closer to Maidstone town centre. But it's genuine, it's there, and it doesn't try to be anything other than what it is: a working parish church that's been doing its job for six hundred years.