Bath House

The Roman remains at this Bath House site near Paignton are modest but genuinely worth a look if you're already in the area. What you're standing at is evidence of occupation from around the 2nd century AD - a proper slice of everyday Roman life rather than grand amphitheatres or villas. The foundations and some structural elements survive, giving a real sense of how these bathing complexes functioned as social hubs.

Histor buffs will get the most from this one. You need to engage your imagination a bit - there's no dramatic reconstruction or visitor centre to do the heavy lifting for you. That said, there's something rather compelling about standing where Romans actually stood, understanding how central bathing culture was to their towns.

It's free to visit, and you won't need more than 30-45 minutes unless you're doing serious photography or sketching. Best visited outside peak summer holidays when Paignton itself gets rammed. The site sits conveniently close to several caravan and holiday parks - Waterside and Beverley are barely a mile away, making this an easy morning outing before heading to Torbay's beaches or further exploration around South Devon.

If you're after something more dramatic or family-friendly, this won't grip young kids for long. But if you're a Roman history enthusiast with a few hours to spare in Paignton, it's absolutely worth the detour. Just check opening times before you go - visitor access details aren't always straightforward for smaller archaeological sites.