St George's church tower

It's not often you get the chance to climb church towers, health and safety and all that, but if you do, take it. Climbing St George's church tower, Brede, allows you to see the bells and their mechanics. Amazingly, bells two and three of the six are original and date from the 15th century. The 200-year-old clock has a 100-year-old face, and the manufacturer still exists today. And I haven't mentioned the views yet.

The church, dedicated St George, our Patron Saint, takes us back to the 12th century when it was originally built but sadly, not much of the Norman works remain. In the graveyard, look for the cross bearing the name Damaris. An orphan girl who died of a broken heart after her betrothed's parents forbade their marriage.