St Bernadette’s Catholic Church

The modern Catholic church in Crawley surprises most visitors - it's not the medieval stone affair you might expect from Sussex, but a mid-20th century building with genuine character. St Bernadette's sits quietly away from the town centre's bustle, and stepping inside reveals clean lines, decent stained glass, and the kind of peaceful atmosphere that actually means something when you're camping nearby.

It's worth a visit if you're staying at Worth Forest Glamping or one of the caravan sites dotted around this corner of Sussex and want a proper spiritual break rather than another woodland walk. The church itself won't take long - thirty minutes at most - but the real value is in the contrast it offers to campsite life. There's something restorative about ten minutes of genuine quiet.

Don't expect architectural fireworks or centuries of history layered into the walls. What you get instead is honest, functional worship space that's been cared for. Families staying at Hook Farm or Sunset Tree Camping could easily pop over to Crawley town centre and make this a small part of a larger afternoon out - the church gives you an alternative to shops and cafes if the weather turns.

Local opening times aren't reliably advertised online, so ringing ahead makes sense. Free admission is standard for active churches, though a donation box usually sits by the entrance. Go on a weekday morning if you want genuine solitude.