Devon Guild of Craftsmen

The Devon Guild of Craftsmen sits in Newton Abbot and is absolutely worth a detour if you're the sort who actually cares how things are made. This is a working showcase where you can watch artists and makers at their benches - ceramicists throwing pots, jewellers soldering, woodworkers planing. It's not a museum where everything's behind glass; these people are genuinely creating.

You'll find pieces for sale too, which means prices reflect proper craft rather than mass production. Expect to spend 90 minutes here comfortably, longer if you get talking to the makers. That's the real value - they'll chat about their work if you ask, which beats any label on a wall.

It's excellent for anyone who appreciates handmade goods and the skill behind them. Kids might struggle with more than an hour unless they're genuinely interested in making things themselves. Walkers and art enthusiasts will find it rewarding; families just passing through may find it a bit niche.

The guild is open daily from 10am to half-five, and admission appears to be free, though buying something is the polite move. Located barely a mile from Oakmoor Touring Park - the adults-only site that keeps getting five-star reviews - it's a straightforward stop if you're based in Newton Abbot for a caravan break. Pair it with the town's market if the timing's right, and you've got a proper afternoon sorted.