Crediton Museum

The town of Crediton, a few miles north of Exeter, has a surprisingly absorbing local museum housed in a listed building. You'll find the usual suspects - Roman pottery, medieval bits and pieces, farming implements from centuries past - but what makes it worth stopping for is how genuinely interested the volunteers are in the story they're telling.

The museum focuses heavily on Crediton's religious significance (it was home to one of Devon's early bishops) and its wool trade heritage. There are some proper gems in the collection if you take time to look properly. The Georgian and Victorian sections give a real flavour of daily life in the town over the centuries.

It's not enormous - plan on ninety minutes to two hours maximum - which actually works in its favour. You won't feel pressured to rush through, but equally you won't be wandering around thinking you should be somewhere else. Local history enthusiasts will get the most from it, and older children interested in how people actually lived will find it engaging rather than stuffy.

If you're staying at Sunsets & Marshmallows glamping just down the road, it's a sensible wet-weather option or a worthwhile morning out before heading into Exeter itself. The staff can usually point you towards good local pubs and walks around the area too, which is always handy.