Saint Martins Church

St Martin's Church sits quietly on the edge of Glandford, a few miles east of Holt, and it's one of those Norfolk churches that stops you mid-stride. The flint-knapped exterior is typical of the region, but step inside and you'll find something properly unusual - a shell-encrusted interior that feels more like walking into a Victorian collector's fever dream than a medieval parish church.

The walls are decorated with intricate mosaics made from thousands of shells, sea urchins, and flint, all arranged in patterns that took years to assemble. It was the work of local rector James Skelton in the late 1800s, and while it might sound garish on paper, it's actually rather moving - obsessive in the way only a Victorian clergyman could be. The craftsmanship is evident, even if the overall effect is decidedly quirky.

History buffs will find the medieval architecture underneath the decorative oddness worth investigating, but honestly, most people come for the shells. Kids find it fascinating for a solid twenty minutes, families slightly longer. It's compact enough that you won't feel rushed, but there's not masses to occupy you for hours. Free entry, as far as we could establish, though donations are clearly welcome.

If you're staying at Kelling Heath or North Norfolk Camping Glamping nearby, it makes for a worthwhile morning detour before heading into Holt proper. Don't expect a grand tourist draw - expect something eccentric and unmissably personal.