St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church, Grays

The Victorian Gothic Revival building on High Street in Grays is impossible to miss - all red brick and soaring pinnacles that seem wildly ambitious for a Thames-side town. St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church went up in the 1880s when the area was booming with dock workers and Irish immigrants, and you can still feel that working-class solidity in its architecture.

Inside, it's all high ceilings and pointed arches, genuinely atmospheric even if you're not particularly religious. The stained glass catches the light properly on a clear day, and there's enough detail in the stonework to keep you occupied for twenty minutes if you're into that sort of thing. It's a functioning parish church, so you'll need to check service times before turning up expecting a wander round.

Honestly, this works best as part of a broader Grays walk rather than a destination in itself. The church sits handily close to the town's riverfront, which has smartened up considerably in recent years. If you're camping at Thamesview - just four miles away - it's a decent rainy-day option or a quick cultural breath before heading back to the caravan.

Suitable for anyone with an interest in Victorian religious architecture. Kids will find it either fascinating or tedious depending on their patience for quiet spaces. Allow about thirty minutes, longer if you catch a service and want to sit in.