National Trust Carriage Museum

You'll find yourself walking into a proper working collection of horse-drawn carriages, coaches and carts - the sort of vehicles that actually moved people around Britain before the internal combustion engine ruined the pace of life. The National Trust Carriage Museum near Ilfracombe holds around 50 pieces, from ornate Victorian carriages to everyday working vehicles that tell a story about transport and rural life from the 18th century onwards.

What makes it worthwhile is the detail. You can see the craftsmanship - the leather work, the metalwork, the engineering that went into making something that had to be both beautiful and functional. Some are restored to pristine condition, others deliberately left showing their working wear, which honestly gives them more character. Children find the sheer scale of the horses' carriages impressive, though under-sevens might lose interest after forty minutes or so.

It's free to enter if you have a National Trust membership, which most visitors do - otherwise expect a small admission charge. Allow 90 minutes to properly look around without rushing. Best visited midweek to avoid weekend crowds.

If you're staying at any of the glamping spots nearby - HARTA Retreat is closest at just over two miles - this makes an easy half-day outing to break up a beach-focused holiday. Pair it with Ilfracombe's seafront or a walk along the coastal paths. It's not a showstopper attraction, but it's solid for a rainy afternoon or if you've got an interest in how things worked before electricity.