St Peter's Church, Ropley

The church sits quietly in Ropley village, just a short drive from Alresford, and it's one of those places that rewards a quick stop without demanding your entire afternoon. St Peter's is a proper medieval parish church - the sort that's been holding together for centuries while the world outside changed completely. You get the usual church interior: stone arches, old wooden pews, stained glass that catches the light in a particular way. The churchyard's pleasant enough if you fancy a wander around the gravestones, and there's usually something to read on the noticeboard about the building's history.

It's worth visiting if you're into ecclesiastical architecture or local history, though it won't occupy more than twenty or thirty minutes. Families with young kids might find it a bit slow unless they're genuinely interested in old buildings. Walkers passing through the village will find it a natural stopping point - the kind of thing you tick off while you're in the area rather than drive miles to see specifically.

If you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Hampshire Hills is closest at just over a mile away, or Woodlands Camping a couple of miles further - it's exactly the sort of local diversion that fills an hour on a quieter afternoon. Check opening times locally before you visit; rural churches sometimes keep irregular hours. Free entry, naturally, and no facilities to speak of, so don't expect toilets or a cafe. Combine it with a walk around Ropley village or a drive into Alresford proper, where there's considerably more to keep you occupied.