St Peter & St Paul's - Charlton Church, Dover

The church sits quietly on the edge of Dover, largely unbothered by the tourist crowds heading to the white cliffs. St Peter & St Paul's is a proper medieval job, with enough Norman stonework and later additions to keep church enthusiasts occupied for a good half hour.

Inside, you'll find the sort of details that reward a slow walk round - misericords, some decent brass plaques, and windows that have managed to survive centuries of Kent weather. The chancel's where the interesting bits tend to cluster. If you're into ecclesiastical architecture, you'll spot the transition from Romanesque to Early English easily enough.

It's free to wander in during visiting hours, which beats most attractions hands down. Allow 45 minutes if you're actually reading things, 20 if you're just after the atmosphere. The churchyard itself is worth a lingering look - old gravestones tell their own stories.

Works well as a side stop while you're exploring Dover itself, rather than a destination in its own right. If you're staying at one of the nearby parks like St Margaret's Bay Holiday Park or Hawthorn Farm, you could combine it with a coastal walk or a visit to Dover Castle. Families won't complain if they've got an interest in old buildings, but fidgety kids might find it a bit slow. Really, it's the sort of place that reveals itself properly to people who actually enjoy pottering round churches. No queues, no fuss.