St John St Stephen & Shalom

The twin churches of St John and St Stephen stand shoulder to shoulder just inland from Cleethorpes, an unusual arrangement that speaks volumes about the town's medieval importance. Both buildings are working parishes, which means you'll find them open and properly maintained rather than locked away as heritage curiosities.

What strikes you first is the sheer solidity of them - proper medieval construction with the kind of stonework that's survived centuries of North Sea gales. St John is the grander of the two, with a chunky tower that dominates the skyline for miles around. Inside, there's decent stained glass and the sort of atmospheric gloom you get in old churches on overcast days, which Lincolnshire supplies in abundance.

They're worth an hour if you're into church architecture and local history - the registers alone tell you something about who lived here and when. For families with young kids, honestly, ten minutes might be the limit unless they're already keen on medieval stuff. Walkers doing a longer route through Cleethorpes will find them an interesting waypoint rather than a destination in themselves.

If you're staying at Haven Cleethorpes Beach Holiday Park, these churches make a decent wet-weather excursion or a quiet break from the seafront buzz. Access should be straightforward during daylight hours, though it's worth checking ahead if you're planning a specific visit. The real reason to come is to understand why Cleethorpes was worth two churches - that tells you more than any guidebook.