Gunton St Andrew's Church

A short drive east of Norwich, this 14th-century parish church sits quietly in the Norfolk countryside with genuine character. The interior is surprisingly intact for a rural Norfolk church - you get original features rather than heavy Victorian restoration, which is refreshing. The architecture tells you something about medieval parish life here, and if you've got an interest in local history or ecclesiastical buildings, it's worth a stop.

It's the sort of place that works best if you're already in the area rather than a dedicated journey. Walkers exploring the Norfolk lanes will stumble across it naturally enough. The churchyard itself is peaceful, and there's something calming about the setting that makes it feel properly removed from Norwich despite being close by. Allow perhaps 20-30 minutes if you're having a good look inside and around the grounds.

If you're based at one of the caravan parks nearby - Deer's Glade is practically on the doorstep at under a mile away - this becomes an easy diversion during a Norfolk holiday. Pair it with a walk through the local footpaths or a trip into Norwich itself for a proper morning out. Free entry as far as these things go, though do check locally as opening hours aren't always reliable for smaller churches. Go when the weather's decent; there's little shelter here and a drizzly afternoon loses some of the appeal.