Christ Church Braunton

The church sits in the heart of Braunton, a proper working village rather than a tourist trap, which already puts it ahead of half the Devon coast. Christ Church is a sturdy medieval building that doesn't try to be anything it isn't - no fancy decoration, no gift shop, just honest stone and history. Inside, the nave opens up with real presence, and you can feel the weight of centuries without it feeling suffocating. The porch is particularly good if you care about that sort of detail.

This is one for people who actually like looking at churches, not those after a tick-box Instagram moment. Architecture types will appreciate the clerestory windows and the way the space feels genuinely lived-in. Walk here from Ilfracombe if the weather holds - the village itself is worth a slow morning, with proper working shops and actual locals.

If you're based at one of the nearby camping parks - Hidden Valley or Ocean Pitch are closest, just a few miles out - this makes an easy detour on the way to somewhere bigger. Don't expect opening times to be obviously posted; these village churches operate on an honesty system, so early morning or late afternoon tends to work best. Free to enter, takes twenty minutes unless you're the type to sit and read every inscription. Pairs well with a coastal walk to Croyde Beach or a pint in Braunton itself. Not unmissable, but if you're in the area and like low-key medieval buildings, you'll enjoy it more than another crowded seafront attraction.