St John the Baptist

The church stands solid and grey on the high street in Braintree, its tower a reliable landmark that's guided locals for centuries. St John the Baptist is a proper medieval structure - you'll spot the 15th-century work straightaway if you know what to look for, though the building's been tinkered with plenty since then. Inside, it's all vaulted ceilings and decent stained glass, the kind of parish church that rewards a slow wander rather than a quick tick-box visit.

Worth stopping for if you're already in Braintree town centre, particularly if you've got an interest in Essex church architecture. History buffs will find enough to occupy them for twenty minutes or so - there's memorial work and the bones of various periods if you look closely. Children might find it a bit solemn unless they're into spotting gargoyles and climbing bell tower steps, though that depends entirely on the kid.

If you're based at Hill Farm campsite just up the road, it's an easy walk into town and a natural addition to a Braintree morning. The admission's free, which helps when you're not certain you'll spend long inside. Go midweek if you can - weekend foot traffic around the town centre can make it feel less peaceful than it deserves. Allow half an hour unless you're genuinely keen on ecclesiastical detail, in which case stick around longer. It's the sort of place that settles you down a bit, which frankly does more for you than any amount of polished tourist attractions.