Saint John the Baptist, Niton

The tower of St John the Baptist rises above Niton like a modest guardian, visible from the clifftop walks that make this corner of the Isle of Wight so rewarding. It's a proper medieval church - the sort you stumble upon by accident when exploring the back lanes, which is exactly how to find it.

The building itself dates back centuries, with that solid stone construction you'd expect from a village church that's weathered considerable storms - both literal and figurative. Inside, it's refreshingly ordinary: no tourist crowds, no gift shop, just the quiet hum of an actual working parish church. The interior holds the kind of details that reward a slow look around - carved stonework, traditional fittings, the sort of place where locals still gather for services.

Walkers doing the coastal paths between Ventnor and the southern cliffs will find this a natural stopping point. It's not a major attraction, mind - you won't spend hours here - but it adds real character to a morning's ramble. Twenty minutes, perhaps, if you're the type to read the plaques and admire the architecture.

If you're based at Warren Hill Camp or Grange Farm, both within easy reach, this slot nicely into a day exploring Niton's clifftop scenery and coastal paths. It's the sort of low-key cultural moment that breaks up a beach-focused holiday without feeling like obligation. Worth the detour if you're already walking nearby; less so if you're driving specially from Ventnor.