Westbrook Church

A modest flint church tucked away in the Hampshire countryside near Emsworth, Westbrook Church rewards the curious wanderer even if medieval architecture isn't usually your thing. The building itself is genuinely old - we're talking Norman foundations and genuine character - and the interior has the sort of quiet dignity you find in places that have been worshipped in for centuries rather than days.

The real appeal here is the walk to get there. You'll take yourself through proper Hampshire farmland, the kind that rolls gently and reminds you why people choose to live in this corner of the South East. It's not a strenuous trek, but it's far enough from the car park that you actually feel you've gone somewhere. Allow half an hour there and back if you're taking it slowly and having a look inside.

Historically minded visitors will appreciate the architectural details - the transition from Norman to later additions tells you something genuine about English church evolution. Kids might find it dull unless they're already interested in old buildings, though a gentle churchyard wander can fill time well enough during a caravan holiday.

It works well as a gentle afternoon excursion from The Old Dairy Farm Glamping or Glamping at Wallops Wood, both within a few miles. The free admission is a bonus, and there's something rather satisfying about finding these small, unheralded churches that nobody's fighting over. Quiet, authentic, and not trying to be anything other than what it is.