Devon & Exeter Medical Heritage Trust

The Devon & Exeter Medical Heritage Trust is one of those places that catches you off guard. You're not expecting much - it's tucked away in Exeter, hardly the sort of attraction that leaps off a holiday brochure - but once you're in, it's genuinely absorbing. The museum charts medical practice from the medieval period through to modern times, with the kind of exhibits that make you simultaneously grateful for antibiotics and rather queasy about what people endured centuries ago.

What you get are old surgical instruments, medical records, photographs, and displays explaining how medical training evolved in Devon. There's actual stuff to look at rather than just reading panels, which makes a difference. It's the sort of place where you'll spend longer than you planned, reading case notes and thinking about how barbaric things were.

Histoy types will genuinely enjoy this - it's not flashy, but it's proper substance. Families with older kids will find it interesting too, though younger ones might lose patience quickly. Admission details aren't widely advertised online, so ring ahead or check when you're in Exeter. Allow an hour, maybe 90 minutes if you're really into it.

If you're based at Devon Heaven Hideaways, the glamping spot near Exeter, it's a straightforward trip into the city centre. Pair it with a walk around Exeter's cathedral quarter or the Quay - this isn't a day-out destination on its own, but it slots nicely into a broader Exeter visit during a park holiday.