St Paul's Church, Whitley Bay

You'll spot St Paul's Church the moment you round the corner onto the main drag through Whitley Bay - it's impossible to miss, all red sandstone and Victorian purpose. Built in the 1880s, it's the sort of solid, no-nonsense parish church that anchors a seaside town, and stepping inside you get that particular smell of old wood and hymn books that either feels like home or sets your teeth on edge, depending on your tolerance for church interiors.

The architecture is the real draw here. High Victorian, with proper craftsmanship in the stonework and interior fittings - the sort of detail that modern builders would call prohibitively expensive. It's worth a walk through if you're already in the town centre, particularly if you've got an interest in late 19th-century church design. Families won't get much from it beyond a quiet ten minutes out of the wind, and unless you're genuinely keen on ecclesiastical history, an hour is more than enough.

Whitley Bay itself is on the coast, so if you're staying at Parkdean Resorts Whitley Bay or the Old Hartley Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite nearby, St Paul's makes a sensible rainy afternoon stop rather than a planned pilgrimage. The town's got the seafront and various cafes that'll be more entertaining for most visitors. Check opening times locally before you go - churches aren't always open to casual visitors these days.