The Orthodox Christian Church of Saint Edward

You won't find this one in the usual guidebooks. The Orthodox Christian Church of Saint Edward sits quietly in Dorset, a few miles from Dorchester, and it's genuinely unexpected - a slice of Eastern Christianity in deepest Wessex. The architecture alone makes the trip worthwhile if you're into religious buildings. Byzantine domes and Orthodox iconography don't exactly scream South West England, which is precisely why it works.

It's a working church rather than a museum, so you'll need to check opening hours before you head over - the website situation is a bit vague, so ringing ahead is sensible. Admission details aren't clear either, but most Orthodox churches welcome visitors respectfully during services or designated times. Allow an hour if you're serious about looking around properly.

Religion enthusiasts will get the most from this one - particularly anyone interested in how different Christian traditions have taken root across Britain. It's not a massive draw for young kids unless they're genuinely into church architecture, but if you're already exploring Dorchester's Roman ruins and medieval streets, it makes for a worthwhile diversion. The surrounding area is solid for a week-long caravan holiday. Crossways Campsite is just 3.3 miles away, and Sandyholme Holiday Park - rated 5.0 - is 4.6 miles off, so you could easily make this part of a broader loop taking in local villages and Dorset's countryside. Bit of a specialist interest, but a proper one.