Church of St John the Baptist, Holcombe Burnell

The lane down to Holcombe Burnell is narrow enough that you'll feel properly remote, even though Exeter's just a few miles north. The church sits in proper isolation, surrounded by Devon farmland, and that's rather the point of coming here.

St John the Baptist is a 15th-century parish church, small and unpretentious, with the sort of weathered stone walls that tell you it's been standing through centuries of Devonian rain. Inside, there's medieval woodwork, some decent stained glass, and the kind of quiet you don't find in towns. It's the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think, which sounds daft until you realise how rare that is.

Historians will spend a proper hour poking about, reading inscriptions and admiring the roof timbers. Casual walkers might give it twenty minutes and move on. Families with restless kids will find it a bit underwhelming unless someone's genuinely interested in old churches. It's not a destination on its own, really - more a worthwhile stop if you're rambling through the Exeter area.

The isolation is both its charm and its limitation. There's nothing else immediately nearby, so combine it with a visit to nearby parks like Sunsets & Marshmallows if you're staying in the region. Parking is limited and rough. Go during daylight, bring a torch for the interior, and don't expect facilities. It's free to enter, and that suits the understated nature of the place entirely.