St Mary Magdalene Church

The church sits right on the edge of Littlehampton, a squat flint structure that's been doing its job since Norman times. St Mary Magdalene isn't flashy - the tower's sturdy rather than soaring, and the interior has that particular smell of old stone and furniture polish that church-goers know well. What catches you is the sense of continuity. People have been coming through that door for nearly a thousand years.

This is proper village church territory. The nave's straightforward, the chancel unremarkable by grand cathedral standards, but there's genuine character in the details - the old font, the worn flagstones, the way light comes through those small windows. History buffs will find the medieval bones interesting; families with restless children might struggle past the first ten minutes.

It's free to visit, though opening times aren't always fixed - best to check ahead or catch it during Sunday services if you're planning a trip. Allow twenty minutes unless you're really keen on church archaeology. The location's genuinely convenient if you're staying at Brookside Caravan Park or the Littlehampton Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite just down the road - both are within walking distance. Worth a quick look if you're passing through Littlehampton heading to the coast, but don't rearrange your holiday around it. It's the kind of place that rewards a proper wander round the churchyard more than a rushed interior visit.