Church of The Blessed Virgin Mary

The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary sits above Lynton with the sort of view that makes you forget why you came in the first place. From the churchyard, you're looking straight out over the Bristol Channel - proper stunning on a clear day, and even the grey days have their own drama.

Inside, it's the real Victorian thing. Lots of polished wood, stained glass that catches the light properly, and that particular smell of old churches - part furniture polish, part time itself. The church isn't massive, which works in its favour. You get a genuine sense of the place without it feeling like a museum piece.

Historically minded visitors will appreciate the sheer staying power of it - churches like this have anchored their communities for centuries. Families won't struggle here either. It's quiet enough for a proper wander, and kids tend to find the graveyards fascinating rather than frightening.

You're not looking at hours here - twenty minutes covers it unless you're really into Victorian ecclesiastical architecture. The churchyard itself is worth lingering in though, especially if you're walking the coastal paths around Lynton. It's the sort of spot where you can actually stop and breathe rather than just tick a box.

Lynmouth Holiday Retreat sits just a few miles away, making this an easy detour from a proper seaside stay. Worth the short walk up from town if the weather's playing along.