A day out in Brentwood on foot - including Brentwood Cathedral

Brentwood is known for being around the corner from open expanses of countryside, with plenty of green spaces close to the town centre and lots of history to explore. 

I was determined to take all this in with a slower approach, instead of whizzing around in my car.

And what better way to arrive in town than on the Elizabeth line, which was surprisingly quiet.

Once in Brentwood, I headed for the Baytree Shopping Centre - my first of many walks, with some unexpected hills. 

I was looking to do some window shopping... but instead I got to rest my legs in a giant deck chair (Image: Charlotte Anderson)

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Legs already starting to ache (I don't get out much), I psyched myself up for some serious window shopping.

What I got instead was a rest in giant deckchair and my first snippet of Brentwood history: a look into the ruins of a 13th century chapel.

The ruins of the Thomas Becket chapel (Image: Charlotte Anderson)

This chapel was dedicated to St Thomas of Canterbury, and was a popular stopping point for pilgrims on their way to Canterbury after it was built around 1220.

With a bit of history ticked off my list, I went to see the culinary highlights of Brentwood.

The new interiors at Masons (Image: Charlotte Anderson)

I set out on a brisk 20-minute walk to Masons restaurant - which has just reopened after its £1 million makeover.

After an exclusive look inside, and a peek at its small plates menu, it was time for a sweet treat.

Ice cream time! (Image: Charlotte Anderson)

So, I took a gentle stroll around King George's Playing Fields with an ice cream in hand.

The ornamental garden was a gorgeous place to rest my legs for a while and, nearby, the sensory garden was perfect for some more wandering and an extra bit of history.

The ornamental garden at King George's Playing Fields (Image: Charlotte Anderson)

I discovered that it was built in 1983/84 with funds from the then Brentwood lottery, to provide an area of "peace" or those visiting the park.

Next, it was my longest walk of the day - a 35-minute trek from the playing fields to Hopefield Animal Sanctuary.

A post box topper from charity Aching Arms, which supports parents who have lost their baby (Image: Charlotte Anderson)

If I had driven though, I would not have spotted some of the quirky hidden gems in Brentwood - including an adorable knitted post box topper by charity Aching Arms.

Once at the animal sanctuary, I refuelled at the plant-based restaurant, Max's Cafe, before walking round the huge Sawyer's Hall Farm to see all the rescued animals.

 Harmony the horse (Image: Charlotte Anderson)

I met Chewie the alpaca and Harmony the horse, among other rescues, as well as learning that some of the stables were donated by pop star Leona Lewis.

The final stop on my adventures was Brentwood Cathedral.

Brentwood Cathedral was my final stop (Image: Charlotte Anderson)

I walked another 20 minutes back towards the town centre to marvel at its architecture and have a look at the prayer cards, on everything from feeling alone to finding peace.

After returning to the station, I realised I had walked for nearly two hours in total and had sunburn - but the fresh air and the history definitely did me good.