St Margaret's Church, Hales

The church sits quietly on the edge of Hales, a few miles east of Bungay, and it's one of those places that rewards a gentle detour if you're camping nearby. St Margaret's is a proper medieval structure - 15th century mostly - with the kind of solid Norfolk flintwork that tells you it was built to last. Inside, the space feels genuinely peaceful rather than austere, with decent windows that let the light do the work.

What strikes you most is the sheer ordinariness of it all. No crowds, no gift shop, just a working parish church that locals actually use. The chancel's worth a look if you care about that sort of thing, and the roof timbers are the real deal - the kind of craftsmanship you don't see replicated anywhere. Expect to spend twenty minutes here, maybe half an hour if you're the type who reads every memorial plaque.

This works brilliantly as part of a walking day if you're staying at Wardley Hill Campsite or The Wildings Elms Meadow - both are within striking distance. It's the sort of stop that breaks up a longer ramble through the Waveney valley without demanding much of your time or energy. Not the kind of place that'll keep kids entertained for hours, but families on a heritage-focused trip will find it genuine and unrushed. Free entry, naturally, though there's likely a donation box by the door. Visit midweek if you want proper quiet.