St Mary & St Peter's Church

The church sits on the high street in Hailsham, a proper village affair with a tower that's been watching over the town since medieval times. St Mary and St Peter's is one of those places you might walk past without really clocking it, but step inside and you're looking at genuine fifteenth-century work - the sort of thing that reminds you how much craftsmanship went into these buildings when time wasn't money.

It's worth a stop if you're into church architecture or local history, though be honest with yourself: unless you're genuinely fascinated by medieval stonework and old brass memorials, twenty minutes is probably your lot. The interior has that quiet, slightly cool feeling all old churches have. A few stained glass windows, some decent timber work. Nothing flashy, but solid.

Families with young kids will get bored pretty quickly unless they're already church enthusiasts. Walkers passing through Hailsham or staying at Golden Cross Holiday Park five miles out would do fine to pop in on their way to or from the shops - it's convenient rather than a destination in itself.

Free to visit as far as anyone knows. No fancy opening hours to worry about; these places tend to stay unlocked during daylight. Don't expect a visitor centre or gift shop. It's a working church, not a tourist attraction dressed up as one. That's actually rather refreshing.