Church of Saint Mary, Rye

The tower of Saint Mary's dominates Rye's skyline the moment you walk up the hill into town, and it's impossible to miss. This medieval church sits at the heart of the old town like it's been keeping watch for centuries - which it largely has, though the current building dates from around the 14th century onwards. Inside, it's surprisingly light and spacious, with decent stained glass and the sort of worn stone floors that tell you millions of feet have walked this path before you.

What strikes you most is the clock mechanism. The church houses one of the oldest working turret clocks in England, and if you're lucky enough to be there when it chimes, you'll understand why it's such a big deal - the sound carries right across the town. The interior has some lovely monuments and brasses if you're into that sort of thing, though honestly, half the appeal is just sitting inside a building that's been standing since medieval times while the modern world carries on outside.

It's free to wander in during the day, and you won't need more than 20 minutes unless you're the type to read every plaque. Works well as part of a Rye wander - the town itself is compact and walkable, so you could easily combine it with a stroll around the cobbled streets and a pub lunch. If you're staying at Rye Harbour Holiday Park or Parkdean Resorts Camber Sands down the coast, it's a quick drive up the hill. Not groundbreaking, but proper worth the visit if you're in the area.