The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin - Martham

The tower of St Mary the Virgin dominates Martham village like a stone sentinel, and once you're inside, you understand why locals have kept this place standing for nearly nine centuries. This is proper Norfolk church architecture - medieval flint and brick, with a 15th-century tower that's one of the Broads' most recognisable landmarks.

What strikes you first is the light. The windows let it pour across whitewashed walls and worn stone floors in a way that makes the interior feel less like a museum and more like a living space. You'll spot the original medieval roof timbers, a handful of brasses, and the sort of accumulated quiet that comes from centuries of Sunday services. The tower itself is worth the climb if it's open - the view across the flat Broadland landscape stretches for miles.

History enthusiasts will find genuine medieval work here, not the Victorian restoration you get elsewhere. Families with younger kids might find it a bit austere after twenty minutes, but walkers exploring the Broads won't regret the detour. Great Yarmouth sits just a handful of miles away if you need bigger attractions.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Clippesby Hall and Hickling Campsite are close by - this makes a quiet morning visit between Broads walks. It's free to enter (usual church etiquette applies), and there's rarely a queue. Pop in whenever the door's unlocked, which is most daylight hours.