St James the Less

The church sits on the edge of Lancing with a solid, no-nonsense presence that feels properly Anglican. St James the Less is a working parish church - not some museum piece - which means you'll get the real thing rather than a heritage centre version of it.

Inside, the architecture tells you this place has been here through centuries of Sussex weather and history. The proportions are satisfying rather than grand, which is exactly what you want from a local church. You can wander round at your own pace, taking in the details - stonework, stained glass, whatever catches your eye. There's something grounding about these spaces; they're not trying to impress you, just existing as they always have.

It's brilliant if you're the sort who likes understanding how a place actually worked, rather than visiting tourist attractions. History buffs will find genuine medieval bones here. Families won't get much from it if the kids need constant entertainment - this is twenty minutes maximum, unless you're genuinely interested in ecclesiastical architecture.

Lancing itself is small and manageable. You're close enough to Onslow Caravan Park and Brook Lane Caravan Park if you're basing yourselves on the South Coast for a longer stay. Pop in on a crisp morning when the light's good through those windows, then head off to explore the villages round about. No faff, no queues, just a proper parish church doing what it's done for centuries.