St Luke's Church, Ramsgate

The Victorian Gothic Revival church dominates Ramsgate's seafront with its distinctive red-brick tower - you can spot it from the beach. Inside, the soaring nave and intricate tilework feel properly grand for what's ostensibly a parish church, though some of the Victorian ornamentation verges on the fussy. The real draw for most visitors is the setting rather than any single feature. It's a working church, so opening hours depend on services and the whims of the vicar, which means ringing ahead before you visit is wise rather than annoying.

Historians will appreciate the fabric itself - St Luke's went up in the 1880s when Ramsgate was reinventing itself as a seaside resort - but it's not the sort of place that'll hold anyone's attention for more than forty minutes unless you're genuinely into ecclesiastical architecture. Kids will find it either fascinating or tedious with no middle ground.

From Birchington, it's a straightforward drive to Ramsgate proper, making it an easy add-on to a park holiday rather than a destination in itself. Sandwich Leisure Holiday Park, five-and-a-half miles away, would be the best base in the area if you're keen on coastal churches and heritage sites. The clifftop location means you can combine a visit with a proper walk along the seafront - that's where the real value lies. Go for the architecture, stay for the sea air.