St. James' Church, Sheldwich

The flint tower of St. James' Church rises above the Sheldwich village green like an old sentinel, all rough stone and character. This is proper medieval Kent - the kind of place where you half expect to bump into someone's great-great-grandmother still doing the flower arranging.

Inside, the church is surprisingly spacious for such a small settlement. The Norman stonework is genuine article, and there's a decent run of stained glass if you're into that sort of thing. The font's a belter - carved stone with more personality than most modern churches manage in their entirety. Medieval wall paintings peek through in places, faded but unmistakably there, evidence of centuries spent under whitewash.

This isn't a destination in itself, mind you. You're not driving from London to stare at Sheldwich's church for an afternoon. But if you're staying at Painters Farm Camping Site a mile and a half away, it's worth the ten-minute walk over. The village is quiet - genuinely quiet - and the church rewards a proper look-around. Twenty minutes inside, another twenty meandering back through the lanes. Free to enter, assuming it's unlocked when you visit (village churches can be temperamental about their hours).

Historically minded visitors will find more to chew on here than families with restless kids. The building itself tells a story, but you need to be prepared to listen. Faversham's only three miles away if you want larger attractions to anchor a day trip.