St Anthony & St George Church

The church sits just outside Petworth, a sturdy medieval building that doesn't announce itself loudly but rewards a quiet wander round. St Anthony and St George dates back to the 12th century, though it's been worked on plenty since then - you can read the building's history in the patchwork of stonework and the way the windows have changed shape over centuries.

Inside, there's proper calm. The nave is straightforward and honest without the show-off flourishes you get in grander churches, which somehow makes it feel more genuine. Look for the old monuments and memorials tucked into corners - they tell you something about who mattered in this corner of Sussex over the past 800 years.

It's the kind of place that suits people who actually care about medieval architecture or want five minutes of genuine quiet. Kids will get restless unless they're the sort who enjoy graveyards and hunting for dates on tombstones. The walk round the churchyard itself is pleasant enough, with some interesting stone work if you look closely.

If you're staying at nearby Graffham Camping and Caravanning Club Site, it's a short drive or decent walk into Petworth proper, and this church makes a reasonable addition to an afternoon pottering around the town. Don't expect revelations, but it's authentic and underfussy - exactly what a village church should be. Worth an hour if you're in the area, not worth a journey on its own.