St Margaret of Antioch, Church

The church sits in a quiet corner near Rochester, its medieval stone walls speaking to centuries of worship in this corner of Kent. St Margaret of Antioch is one of those places that rewards a detour - not because it's famous, but because it's genuinely old and genuinely worth your time.

Inside, the architecture tells the story. You're looking at work from the 12th century, with later additions that show how the building evolved over 800 years. The chancel has real character, and if you're interested in how village churches actually functioned - the layout, the craftwork, the wear on the stones - there's plenty to see without needing a guidebook.

It's the sort of place that works brilliantly if you're staying at Sheerness Holiday Park and fancy a morning walk inland. Families with older kids who can appreciate genuine history will get something out of it. Younger children might lose interest after twenty minutes, so don't overcommit. There's not a café attached or anywhere to linger for ages, but that's rather the point - it's a working church, not a heritage attraction.

Head early in the day to dodge crowds (which barely exist here anyway). The surrounding area is pleasant enough for a walk, though Rochester's the real pull if you're combining visits. Worth an hour of your time if medieval churches grab you.