Exeter Historic Guildhall

The Guildhall sits right in Exeter's city centre, and it's one of those buildings that stops you mid-stride. Built in the 1390s, it's the oldest municipal building still in use anywhere in England - which is genuinely remarkable when you think about it. The timber-framed frontage is exactly what you want a medieval guildhall to look like: all dark wood and leaded windows, with that proper sense of age that no amount of restoration can fake.

Inside, you can wander through rooms where civic business has been conducted for over 600 years. The main hall itself is impressive - high ceilings, old panelling - though the current exhibitions and displays vary depending on what the council has scheduled. It's not a blockbuster attraction by any stretch. You'll spend maybe 45 minutes here if you read everything, 20 if you're just having a quick look round.

This works best if you're already exploring Exeter's centre - pair it with the Cathedral nearby, grab lunch in the High Street, maybe browse the antique shops. It's free to pop in, which helps. Families with older kids will get something from it; younger ones might find it a bit static. History enthusiasts will properly appreciate the setting and the layers of medieval architecture.

If you're based at Devon Heaven Hideaways just outside the city, it's a straightforward drive in for a morning or afternoon. Don't expect to hinge an entire trip on it, but it's well worth the 20 minutes when you're in town.