Blue Plaque: John Gay

A small blue plaque on a building in Ilfracombe marks where John Gay once lived - the 18th-century poet and playwright best known for The Beggar's Opera. It's the sort of thing you'll walk past without noticing unless you're specifically looking for it, which is rather fitting for a man whose satirical wit skewered London society with such precision.

Gay spent time in Ilfracombe during his life, and this modest marker is the only physical reminder of his connection to the town. There's nothing to do here in the conventional sense - no entry fee, no visitor centre, just a plaque on a wall. You'll spend two minutes here, tops. But if you're interested in 18th-century literature or enjoy hunting down blue plaques as a hobby, it's worth tracking down while exploring the town itself.

Historians and literary types will appreciate the connection to someone who shaped English drama, even if most visitors won't recognise the name. It won't thrill young children, frankly - there's no interactive element or story to grab their attention.

Staying at Stowford Farm Meadows or Hidden Valley, both within easy reach of Ilfracombe, gives you a base to explore the town's seafront and heritage. The plaque is a minor footnote to a seaside break rather than a destination in itself, but literary pilgrims touring Devon's creative connections should certainly add it to their list.