St Catherine-by-the-Green

The church sits right on Ryde's green, which is rather lovely if you're staying nearby. St Catherine-by-the-Green is a straightforward parish church - nothing flashy, but genuinely worth a quick visit if you're exploring the town on foot.

Inside, there's decent medieval work alongside later Victorian additions. The sort of church that tells you something about how a seaside town developed over centuries, rather than a showstopper with famous monuments. Local history types will find it interesting; families with restless kids might find twenty minutes is enough.

Ryde itself is the nearest proper town, and it's the sort of place where you're popping in between the seafront and the high street. If you're camping at White Cliff Bay or Sandhills - both solid spots just outside town - the church is basically on your way if you're heading into Ryde for fish and chips or a walk along the pier.

Check ahead for opening times via the Haven Churches website, and don't assume it's always open outside service hours. Admission appears to be free, which makes it a zero-commitment stop. The real draw here is the setting and the fact it anchors the town's character rather than any single standout feature. If you're the type who enjoys wandering round proper English churches, it's well worth the five minutes off the main road. If you're after something more dramatic, keep moving.