St Thomas the Apostle

The church sits on a steep cobbled street in Rye, its tower visible from half the town. St Thomas the Apostle is a proper medieval building - we're talking 14th century, though it's had a few knocks over the centuries and got substantially restored in the Victorian era. Inside, the space feels genuinely peaceful rather than stuffy. There's good stained glass, some decent monuments, and the sort of quiet you don't get in the high street a few minutes downhill.

It's the kind of place that works best if you're already exploring Rye's old town, which you absolutely should be doing anyway. The walk up Church Square is steep enough to remind you of your cardio fitness, but the views back across the rooftops make it worthwhile. History buffs will spend a comfortable thirty minutes poking about. Families with younger kids might find it a quick stop rather than a destination in itself - though the graveyard's atmospheric if you're into that sort of thing.

Free entry, as far as I can tell, though it's worth checking opening hours before you trek up there. If you're based at Herons Park Campsite or Romney Meadows - both excellent bases for this part of Kent - Rye is only a short drive and makes a cracking half-day. The church is genuinely worth the climb, especially on a clear day when you can see the Marsh stretching out from the tower.