St Mary Magdalene Church

The church sits on a gentle rise just outside Dorking, all golden stone and pointed windows that catch the light beautifully in late afternoon. St Mary Magdalene is genuinely worth a short detour if you're staying at one of the nearby glamping spots or the camping at Sands Farm - it's the sort of place that rewards a proper look around rather than a quick snap for Instagram.

What you get here is solid Surrey history. The building itself spans centuries, with Norman bits rubbing shoulders with Victorian restoration work. The interior is quiet in the way only old churches manage - no hustle, just worn flagstones and the kind of peace that actually costs nothing. There's decent detail in the stonework if you're into that sort of thing, though it won't keep you for hours.

Walkers will appreciate it most, truth be told. It works perfectly as a destination point on a longer ramble around the Dorking area rather than a standalone trip. Twenty minutes inside, another twenty wandering the churchyard, and you've got a nice break from the trail. Families with older children will find it interesting enough; younger ones might get restless once they've investigated the graveyard.

The site's free to visit, as most parish churches are, though you'll want to check if it's actually open when you plan to go - opening hours vary. Best visited on a clear day when the windows let proper light through. Time your visit for a Saturday morning and you'll have the place largely to yourself.