St Mary Magdalen Church Coldean

The church sits quietly on the edge of Coldean, just a couple of miles north of Brighton's bustle. St Mary Magdalen is a Victorian affair - built in 1864 - which means it lacks the medieval grandeur you might expect from a Sussex church, but that's precisely what makes it interesting. The architecture is solid, unpretentious red brick with a proper Victorian sensibility.

Inside, the space feels intimate rather than imposing. The windows catch light in unexpected ways, and there's a genuine peacefulness that surprises you if you're coming straight from the seafront madness. It's the sort of place where you can sit on a pew for twenty minutes without anyone minding.

This isn't a destination that'll occupy you for hours, and it's certainly not on the usual tourist trail. But if you're staying at one of the nearby campsites - Chalky Downs, Pegs and Pitches, or Brighton Caravan and Motorhome Club are all within a few miles - it's worth a fifteen-minute detour on a walk. Walkers heading up toward the Downs might slot it in naturally. Families with older children who appreciate a quiet moment will get something from it; younger kids will probably want to move on.

The real value is in its unassuming character. No crowds, no gift shop, just a Victorian church doing what churches do. Call ahead or check locally for opening times - facilities information isn't readily available online, which is refreshingly honest about how modest an attraction it is.