St Nicolas' Church

The church sits quietly on the edge of Guildford, a medieval structure that's earned its keep through seven centuries of Surrey life. St Nicolas' is a proper working parish church - the sort of place where you'll find locals arranging flowers rather than tour groups with selfie sticks.

Inside, it's all high ceilings and filtered light through old glass. The chancel has some decent medieval work if you're into that sort of detail, and there's enough architectural interest to hold a keen walker's attention for twenty minutes or so. It won't blow your mind, but it's the kind of building that rewards a proper look - the sort of thing you'll actually remember when someone mentions Surrey churches a year later.

This works best as part of a wider mooch around Guildford itself rather than a standalone trip. Park at one of the campgrounds within a few miles - Surrey Hills Yurts or Riverside Farm sit at a reasonable distance - and use the church as a stop-off during a longer walk around town. The setting's pleasant enough, though nothing spectacular.

Really, it appeals to church architecture types and anyone who likes the minor medieval stuff that proper English market towns are built on. Kids will get restless after five minutes unless they're genuinely into old buildings. Check ahead for opening times - it's a functioning church, not a museum, so access can be variable. Free entry when it's open. Allow thirty minutes maximum if you're thorough, less if you're just passing through.