St Antony of Padua, Forest Gate

The Catholic church tucked away in Forest Gate isn't what you'd expect to stumble upon in east London. St Antony of Padua sits with quiet dignity among residential streets, its brick exterior and modest frontage giving little hint of the peaceful interior waiting inside. The church has that particular stillness that older Catholic spaces often possess - the kind where you can hear yourself think properly for the first time all week.

What you're looking at is a proper working parish church, not a tourist attraction in the conventional sense. The interior holds traditional religious artwork and the usual Catholic furnishings, all kept in good order. It's the sort of place where locals actually come to pray rather than gawk, which means you'll want to be respectful of that if you visit. The nearby Waltham Forest area has plenty of green space to explore - Chingford sits close by for supplies and a decent coffee if you need one.

This works best if you're already in the area exploring the local parks and want to take in a bit of London's religious heritage without the crowds you'd get elsewhere. Abbey Wood Experience Freedom Glamping sits about 5.5 miles away if you're basing yourself in the region. The church itself won't consume hours of your time - it's a quiet twenty-minute stop rather than a main event. Go if you're interested in modest urban churches; skip it if you're after something grander. Opening hours tend to vary, so ring ahead before making the trip.