St Martin's Church

The tower of St Martin's Church rises above Billericay like a proper medieval sentinel, and it's one of those buildings that makes you understand why people actually wanted to build things to last. The church itself dates back to the 15th century, though there's been worship on this spot for centuries before that. Inside you'll find the sort of architectural details that reward a slow look around - timber roof work, some decent stained glass, the kind of spaces that feel lived-in rather than museum-like.

It's not a showstopper in the way that Canterbury or Norwich might be, but that's precisely why it works. You get the genuine article without the crowds. History types will appreciate the period features and the layers of Essex life embedded in the building. Families passing through Billericay can easily duck in for twenty minutes or so, though young children might find the stillness a bit heavy after that. The churchyard itself is peaceful enough for a wander.

Free admission, which is how it should be. Allow half an hour if you're genuinely interested, ten minutes if you're just passing. If you're camping at Barleylands Campsite nearby - and at 2 miles away it's practically on your doorstep - this makes a decent rainy-afternoon option. Stocks Farm Camping over at 6 miles gives you somewhere slightly further out but still easily accessible for a quick cultural pit stop. Neither campsite is going to feel remote, mind you, but that's Essex for you.