St. Augustine Catholic Church

You'll find this Victorian-era Catholic church standing quietly on an Essex street, a red-brick statement of faith from an era when such buildings were still controversial in England. St. Augustine's has the solid, purposeful look of mid-19th century architecture - tall windows, decent proportions, and the kind of craftsmanship you don't often see in newer builds.

Inside, it's a proper working parish church with the usual trappings: altar, pews, stained glass doing what stained glass does best when the light's right. If you're into ecclesiastical architecture or Catholic heritage, there's enough here to spend a good hour poking about. The interior decoration is respectful rather than showy, which some will prefer and others might find a touch austere.

Honestly? It's worth a detour if you're already in the area or interested in religious architecture, but not worth planning a whole trip around. Kids will get bored within ten minutes unless they're genuinely invested in church history. Best visited on a sunny afternoon when the windows actually show their colours.

Location-wise, it's just east of London proper, making it accessible if you're based at Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park in Edmonton or the Lee Valley Campsite near Sewardstone. Neither park is brilliant value for money, but they're convenient for exploring Essex's quieter corners. The church sits comfortably between these sites and central London - close enough for a day out, far enough to feel properly away.