Bay Church, Torbay

Bay Church sits right on the seafront at Paignton, which means you can actually see the sea from the churchyard - that's rather unusual for a parish church. It's a Victorian-era building with a proper maritime character, fitting given its location overlooking Torbay. The interior is modest and straightforward, typical of 19th-century Anglican design, but what makes it worth a visit is the location itself and the sense of community it represents in this seaside town.

This isn't the sort of place you'd travel miles out of your way for, to be honest. But if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Hoburne Devon Bay is barely a mile away - it's a pleasant ten-minute stroll and gives you a real flavour of local Paignton beyond the seafront amusements. It works well as a quieter counterpoint to the busier bits of the beach. History buffs might find the Victorian architecture interesting; families won't find it riveting, but kids often enjoy exploring churchyards and looking out to sea from unusual vantage points.

Do check opening hours before you go - churches can be temperamental about visitor times. Admission should be free, as is standard. Allow 15 to 20 minutes realistically, unless you're someone who takes time reading all the plaques and memorials. It's worth combining with a walk along Paignton seafront or a visit to nearby Torbay attractions, rather than treating it as a standalone destination. On a decent day, the views across the bay are genuinely nice.