St John the Baptist

The church stands on Bembridge's high street - a solid, no-nonsense medieval structure that's been keeping watch over this corner of the Isle of Wight for centuries. St John the Baptist is modest compared to some of the island's grander ecclesiastical offerings, but that's rather the point. Walk in and you'll find yourself in a proper working parish church, complete with that particular smell of old wood and stone that only centuries can create.

What strikes you immediately is the simplicity of it all. This isn't a showpiece built for tourists - it's a functioning community church that happens to have some genuinely interesting medieval features if you take time to look. The building itself dates back to the 12th century, though like most English parish churches it's been added to and tinkered with through the centuries. Local history buffs and anyone interested in vernacular architecture will find it worth a quiet browse.

It's free to visit, and you won't need more than thirty minutes unless you're the type to spend an hour reading every memorial plaque. Bembridge itself is a proper seaside village rather than a screaming tourist trap, which makes it an ideal base if you're after something quieter. The nearby camping and glamping sites - Sandhills, White Cliff Bay, and Warren Hill - are all within spitting distance, making this an easy stop if you're already in the area. Come on a weekday morning when it's peaceful and you've actually got space to think.