St. Michael's Church, Geldeston

The church sits on a gentle slope overlooking the Waveney Valley, all flint and stone with that particular Norfolk look - solid, unpretentious, built to last. St Michael's in Geldeston is the sort of place you'd miss if you weren't looking for it, which rather suits the village itself.

Inside, the real story unfolds. There's a lovely medieval font, carved capitals that reward close inspection, and windows that let in proper east Norfolk light. The chancel's worth a good look, and if you've got any interest in medieval churches at all, the details repay time spent poking around.

It's free to visit, and genuinely worth the detour if you're anywhere near Beccles. Don't expect queues or visitor facilities - this is a working parish church, not a heritage attraction. Twenty minutes is enough to see everything, though church enthusiasts could happily spend longer. The graveyard's pleasant enough for a wander.

Based near here at Wardley Hill Campsite or the excellent Dawn Chorus Holidays safari tents just down the road, you could make this part of a proper Norfolk church crawl - combine it with Beccles' own St Michael's and a few others dotted across the region. The Wildings Elms Meadow sits nearby too if you want a broader base.

Best visited on a weekday morning when you've got the place entirely to yourself. Rain doesn't spoil it - these old places rather suit grey skies.