The Parish Church of Saint Saviour on the Cliff

The cliff edge is your first clue that this church means business. St Saviour's sits on the crumbling chalk face above Shanklin, commanding views across the Solent that most people would pay good money for - except you just walk up and get them free. The building itself is Victorian, solid and unpretentious, with the sort of stone work that's weathered a few centuries of salt spray and battering winds.

What strikes you inside is the light. Large windows frame the sea, and on a clear day you can see right across the water. It's genuinely moving, even if you're not particularly religious. The church doesn't try to be fancy - there's real integrity in that restraint.

This is essentially a spot for people who like a bit of substance with their views. Walkers will appreciate it as a focal point on the coastal path, though getting up there involves proper steps and you'll feel your legs. History enthusiasts should know the church dates to the 1870s, which is relatively young for a parish church, but the location tells its own story about how the Victorians thought about faith and landscape. It's not a day-long attraction - thirty minutes covers it - but it's the sort of place that stays with you.

Since Isle of Wight Coastal Park sits virtually on your doorstep, you could easily slot this into a morning before heading back for breakfast. The walk itself is free, and assuming the church is open to visitors (best to check locally in Shanklin), you won't pay a penny.