Enigmatic Stone

Standing alone in the Devon countryside, this solitary standing stone poses more questions than it answers. The weathered granite monolith rises from rough grassland, its original purpose lost to time - though local theories range from ancient boundary marker to prehistoric ritual site.

Archaeology buffs will find plenty to ponder here, even if there's precious little interpretation on offer. The stone itself is impressive enough, worn smooth by centuries of Devon weather, but don't expect grand revelations or detailed historical context. What you get instead is a proper sense of mystery.

Families might struggle to fill more than twenty minutes here unless the kids are particularly fired up about ancient history. It's essentially a large rock in a field - atmospheric for some, underwhelming for others. The surrounding landscape is lovely enough for a short walk, mind you.

Being free to visit (as far as anyone knows - there's no obvious entry fee), it makes a decent quick stop if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks around Torquay or Dawlish. Combine it with a longer countryside ramble rather than making it the main event. The lack of facilities means bringing your own refreshments if you plan to linger.