St Albright's Church

The church sits quietly on its own, away from the main drag through Colchester, which is precisely what makes it worth the detour. St Albright's has that particular Essex charm - solid Norman work mixed with later additions, the kind of building that's seen centuries roll past without much fanfare. Inside, you'll find decent medieval glass if you're into that sort of thing, and the usual collection of memorial tablets that tell you more about local families than any guidebook could.

It's the sort of place church enthusiasts and architecture buffs will genuinely enjoy, though casual visitors might spend twenty minutes here rather than two hours. The churchyard itself is pleasant enough for a wander, especially if you're staying at one of the nearby glamping spots like Swallows Field or Teybrook Orchard - both within easy reach for an afternoon potter about. Admission appears to be free, and there's usually someone around to let you in during reasonable hours, though it pays to check locally once you arrive.

If you're basing yourself at Colchester Country Park or Rushbanks Farm for a week, this makes a perfectly decent addition to a circuit of the area's smaller churches. Don't expect crowds or visitor facilities, but do expect genuine quietness and the feeling that you've stumbled onto something real rather than something packaged for tourists. That's rather the point with these old parish churches.