St. Christopher's RC Church

The red-brick Victorian church that dominates Chessington's High Street is harder to miss than you'd think, despite the town's sprawl of retail parks and housing estates. St. Christopher's RC Church is a proper period piece - all Gothic revival swagger with a tall spire that catches the light on clear days. Inside, the nave runs long and narrow, lined with the kind of stained glass and woodwork that speaks to its late 19th-century roots. It's not a massive tourist draw, but that's rather the point. You'll find genuine quiet here, which is rare anywhere near Chessington these days.

Roman Catholic communities built churches like this across Surrey when the population was expanding - it's a tangible reminder that Chessington wasn't always synonymous with theme parks and traffic. The architecture rewards a proper look if you're into Victorian religious buildings, though the interior does feel a touch austere if you're hoping for lavish decoration. Most visits run thirty minutes or so, more if you're the type to sit and absorb the atmosphere.

It works as a genuine break from the nearby attractions - Chessington World of Adventures Resort is only 4.6 miles away, and the Alderstead Heath Caravan site even closer. If you're camping or staying at the resort with kids who need respite from rides and queues, this offers an entirely different sort of visit. Free entry, naturally. Come midweek morning for the church practically to yourself.