Church of St Mary the Virgin

The Church of St Mary the Virgin sits quietly in Paignton, one of those solid Victorian churches that nobody much talks about but which rewards a quick look if you're in the area. Built with proper Devon stone, it's got the sort of interior that feels lived-in rather than museum-like, which is refreshing.

What makes it worth stopping for is the architecture itself. The stonework catches the afternoon light quite nicely, and inside there's decent stained glass work and the kind of furnishings you'd expect from a Victorian parish church - nothing flashy, but honest. You won't spend more than half an hour here, and that's being generous.

Church visits suit anyone really, but particularly if you've got an interest in Victorian Devon or you're touring the area's religious buildings. Kids probably won't linger unless they're already into that sort of thing. It's free to step inside, and since it's in Paignton proper, it slots easily into a day combining the seaside with a bit of local history.

If you're staying at South Bay Holiday Park just down the road, it's a ten-minute walk into town anyway, so you might as well have a look while you're there. Don't expect to be transported - this is a working parish church, not a tourist attraction dressed up as one. But that's partly why it's worth the detour.