St Stephen's Church, East Twickenham

The church sits quietly on the edge of East Twickenham, a proper Victorian Gothic affair that catches you off guard if you're not expecting it. Built in 1858, St Stephen's has that solid, no-nonsense look you get from mid-nineteenth-century parish churches - all pointed arches and red brick, doing exactly what it was designed to do without fuss or fancy.

Inside, the atmosphere is peaceful rather than showy. High ceilings, decent stained glass, the usual hymn books stacked on pews. It's the sort of place that rewards a quiet wander on a weekday afternoon when you've got it mostly to yourself. The graveyard's worth a look too - Victorian headstones, overgrown bits, the kind of churchyard that tells you something about who lived round here a century or more ago.

Historically minded visitors will find it interesting as a snapshot of Victorian parish life, though it's not a major draw compared to grander Surrey churches. Families won't find it thrilling - kids generally lose interest after ten minutes in a quiet church. But if you're based at Walton on Thames Camping and Caravanning Club Site nearby and fancy a gentle walk to somewhere with a bit of local character, it's well worth the trip.

Chessington's the nearest town, and from there it's a straightforward drive or cycle. No admission charge that I'm aware of, and you can usually find the doors open during daylight hours. Allow twenty minutes, tops, unless you're really into Victorian ecclesiastical architecture.