St. Stephen's

You'll find St. Stephen's tucked away in Sussex, a proper medieval church that rewards those willing to seek it out near Chichester. The building itself is modest from the outside - flint stone walls, a squat tower, nothing that screams 'stop here' from the road - but step inside and there's real substance to it.

The interior is where things get interesting. There's decent medieval woodwork, some solid brass monuments if you're into that sort of thing, and the kind of atmosphere you only get in churches that have been doing their job for centuries without fuss or renovation. It's not packed with tourists, which means you can actually hear yourself think.

History types will appreciate the layered architecture - you can read centuries in the walls and fixtures. Kids won't find much to keep them entertained beyond fifteen minutes unless they're genuinely interested in old buildings, but if you're making a broader Sussex circuit, it's worth a quick stop.

The real plus is that it slots neatly into a holiday centred on Chichester itself. If you're staying at West Sands Holidays five miles away, you can work this in as part of exploring the wider area without it feeling like a detour. Admission is free and there's usually open access during daylight hours, though it's worth checking before you visit since church opening times can be unpredictable. Allow thirty minutes maximum - you'll get the measure of it quickly.