St Andrew’s Church, Fairlight

The church sits on the clifftop at Fairlight like it's been keeping watch over the Channel for centuries - and it actually has. St Andrew's is a proper medieval survivor, all flint and stone, with that austere Norman look that makes you realise how old this part of Sussex actually is.

It's a quiet spot. Most people thundering along the East Hastings coastline miss it entirely, which is half the appeal. The church itself is modest inside - nothing flashy, just honest stonework and the kind of peace you don't find near the seafront shops. The main draw is the location. Stand outside and you've got views south towards the sea, with the cliff path running past like it's been doing since long before the church was built.

Historically-minded visitors will get the most from a proper look round, especially if you catch the door open. It's the sort of place worth twenty minutes rather than two hours. Walkers tackling the coastal path between Hastings and Winchelsea tend to find it by accident, which is exactly how it should be discovered.

If you're staying at Winchelsea Sands Holiday Park - just four miles away - this is a decent morning walk before the crowds hit the beach. There's no charge to visit, though opening hours are a bit hit and miss. Ring ahead or time it for a weekend if you're making a special trip. It's not dramatic, but it's genuine, and that counts for something.