St Michael and All Angels, Marwood

The church sits in the village of Marwood, a short drive inland from Ilfracombe, and it's worth the detour if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks. St Michael and All Angels is a proper medieval parish church - the sort of building that rewards a quiet wander around its exterior and interior without demanding hours of your time.

Inside, you'll find the usual fixtures of a working Devon church: carved pews, a stone font, and the accumulated weight of several centuries' worth of local history. The churchyard itself is pleasant enough for a brief stroll, with old headstones and the kind of peaceful atmosphere you'd expect. It's the sort of place that appeals most to anyone interested in ecclesiastical architecture or with a taste for exploring village churches off the main tourist trail.

Families with younger children will likely find twenty minutes here sufficient before restlessness sets in. Walkers tackling the surrounding countryside might pop in as part of a longer route. History enthusiasts could spend a bit longer studying the details, though this isn't a grand cathedral with layers of famous tombs or treasures.

Admission should be free, as with most English parish churches, though opening times can be unpredictable - calling ahead or checking locally in Ilfracombe first makes sense. If you're based at Stowford Farm Meadows or Hidden Valley just down the road, it's an easy five-minute drive and worth tacking onto a morning's exploring. Don't make a special trip for it alone, but don't skip it if you're in the area either.