St Richard’s Hollingdean

The church sits in Hollingdean, a quiet corner of Brighton that most visitors miss entirely. St Richard's is Victorian - solid red brick, unpretentious, the sort of building that doesn't shout about itself but rewards a detour if you're interested in 19th-century ecclesiastical architecture. Inside, you'll find decent stained glass and the kind of peaceful atmosphere you don't get in the city centre anymore.

It's genuinely worth a walk if you're the type who enjoys exploring residential Brighton rather than just hitting the seafront. The area around it is genuinely pleasant - tree-lined streets, Victorian terraced houses, proper local feeling. Doesn't take long - twenty minutes inside, maybe another twenty if you want to sit in the churchyard or photograph details.

Not one for kids unless they're already into churches, and there's nothing flashy to hold young attention. But if you're staying at Blackberry Wood and fancy something quiet and reflective away from the park, this works as a half-hour diversion. The walk from the park isn't too punishing either.

Knock and ask if it's open - like many village churches, hours can be variable. Being in Brighton means it's accessible enough without planning too far ahead. Free to enter, obviously. Go if you appreciate seeing how ordinary parishes developed, rather than expecting anything grand.