St Pancras Church, Kingston near Lewes

You won't miss St Pancras Church in Kingston if you're exploring the villages south of Lewes - it sits right in the heart of the village with a churchyard that feels genuinely lived-in, not museum-like. The building itself is a proper medieval parish church, all flint and stone with a sturdy tower that's been keeping watch over the Ouse Valley for centuries. Inside, the space is simple and light, with the kind of worn flagstone floors that tell you plenty of feet have walked here before.

It's the sort of place walkers stumble upon rather than plan for, which is exactly what makes it worthwhile. History types will appreciate the medieval fabric, but honestly, you don't need to be obsessed with churches to find it moving - the stillness of it is the real draw. Twenty minutes to wander through and poke about the churchyard is plenty.

If you're camping at The Secret Campsite nearby, this becomes a proper find - a proper village church rather than another heritage attraction with a gift shop. The walk from the campsite through to Kingston itself is pleasant enough, and you get a real sense of how these communities still function around their parish churches rather than existing as heritage exhibits.

No faffing about with entry fees or opening hours to ring ahead about. Just turn up and have a look round. It's the kind of quiet spot that makes a Sussex village holiday feel less about ticking boxes and more about actually being somewhere.