Weston-super-Mare, St John the Baptist

The tower of St John the Baptist rises above Weston-super-Mare's seafront with proper Victorian confidence, a solid stone reminder that there's more to this seaside town than amusement arcades and fish and chips. Step inside and you'll find yourself in a working parish church that's genuinely worth twenty minutes of your time, especially if you're already wandering the promenade with the kids.

The church itself is Victorian - built in the 1870s - with decent stained glass and that particular quiet that older churches seem to hold even when the seafront's heaving outside. It's not going to blow your mind with medieval treasures, but it's a proper breather from the beach chaos and the interior's well-maintained. The tower's the real star from the outside though, visible across the bay.

Realistically, families staying at the nearby parks - Warren Farm, Diamond Farm, or Golden Sands are all within four miles - might pop in if they're after a bit of culture mixed with their holiday routine. Church enthusiasts will find it respectable rather than exceptional. The real appeal is the context: it's free to visit (almost certainly, though worth checking ahead), takes barely thirty minutes, and breaks up a seaside day nicely. Don't expect crowds or queues.

Best visited mid-morning or late afternoon when it's quietest. Summer weekends can be manic down at the seafront, so this offers genuine escape. If you're staying in the caravan parks dotted between here and Burnham-on-Sea, it's an easy diversion.