St Peter's Church, Shorwell

The church sits on a gentle slope in the middle of Shorwell village, a proper little time capsule if you're after something beyond the usual seaside stuff. Dating back to the 12th century, St Peter's has that satisfying stone-and-history weight about it that makes you actually want to step inside, unlike some village churches that feel a bit perfunctory.

What you'll find is a peaceful, working parish church with some genuinely interesting medieval details if you know what to look for - floor tiles, carved bits, the kind of thing that rewards a slow wander rather than a five-minute tick-box visit. The churchyard itself is lovely for a sit-down, particularly on a decent day. The real pleasure here is the walk through the village itself; Shorwell has that gentle, undeveloped character the Isle of Wight does well when it hasn't been overdone for the tourists.

This works best for walkers and anyone into local history rather than families hoping for interactive displays. Give it thirty minutes, maybe an hour if you're the type to read every plaque. It's free to visit, obviously.

From Ventnor it's a straightforward inland drive or walk if you're staying at one of the nearby camps like Warren Hill or Grange Farm - neither is more than a couple of miles away. Pair it with a ramble around the quieter parts of the island rather than treating it as a standalone attraction. Honestly, it's the village itself that's the draw; the church is the legitimate excuse to be there.