Combe Martin War Memorial

The war memorial in Combe Martin sits quietly on the high street, a sturdy stone monument that catches you slightly off-guard if you're not looking for it. It's the kind of place locals pass most days without thinking - which is rather the point. The memorial honours those from this small North Devon village who didn't come home from the two world wars, names carved into the stone as a permanent record of loss.

There's not much to do here in the traditional sense. You won't spend hours at a memorial, but that's not why you come. What matters is stopping to read the names, maybe sitting on a nearby bench and thinking about what this stretch of coast meant during wartime. It's a sober, necessary pause in any holiday.

Combe Martin itself is a working village rather than a theme park - proper working harbour, a long shingle beach, and that particular kind of North Devon scruffiness that somehow feels more genuine than the polished seaside towns nearby. Ilfracombe is just down the coast if you want more facilities and attractions.

If you're camped at Newberry Valley or Sandaway Beach, both within walking distance, the memorial is worth the detour on a quiet morning. It takes ten minutes. Families won't get much from it, but anyone interested in local history or simply wanting to mark the spot should include it. Free, obviously. No opening hours to worry about - it's outdoors, always accessible.