Thorrington Church, St Mary Magdalen

The lane leading to St Mary Magdalen is properly rural - proper Essex countryside where you half expect to see a pheasant bolt across the road. Thorrington Church sits quiet and largely unvisited, which is rather the point of coming here. This 15th-century building, with its sturdy flint walls and modest tower, feels genuinely lived-in rather than polished up for tourists.

Inside, you'll find decent medieval woodwork and the sort of peaceful silence that makes you forget Clacton-on-Sea exists just a few miles away. The churchyard itself rewards a wander - old graves, decent yews, the kind of place where you can actually think. It's the sort of stop you'd make if you were already exploring the quieter villages between Mersea Island and the coast, not a destination in itself.

This works best for people who like their history understated. Walkers touring the area will appreciate the solid Norman architecture and the chance to nose around without crowds. Kids under ten will get bored within twenty minutes unless they're into gravestone hunting. Allow half an hour maximum unless you're seriously into medieval ecclesiastical detail.

Admission is free - just turn up. Early morning or late afternoon light suits the flint walls beautifully. If you're staying at one of the caravan parks dotting the coast around Mersea Island or Seawick, Thorrington makes a quiet diversion on a lazy afternoon. Don't expect facilities or visitor amenities. Bring a torch if you're visiting in winter - the interior can be gloomy.