Francis Danby

Francis Danby's grave sits quietly in the churchyard of St Lawrence Church in Exmouth, marking the final resting place of one of Britain's most talented Romantic landscape painters. The Irish-born artist spent his final years in this Devon coastal town, and his simple headstone feels rather understated for someone who created such dramatic Biblical and mythological scenes.

Art enthusiasts will appreciate the pilgrimage, though it's admittedly a brief stop. Danby's works hang in major galleries including the Tate, but finding his grave requires a bit of hunting among the weathered stones. The church itself is worth a look - a proper medieval structure that's seen centuries of Exmouth life.

Families staying at nearby Devon Cliffs Holiday Park or Dawlish Sands might combine this with a wander through Exmouth's town centre, though younger children will likely find more excitement on the beach. The churchyard is free to explore during daylight hours, and you'll need maybe twenty minutes unless you're particularly keen on Victorian headstones.

Exmouth makes a decent base for exploring Devon's coast, and this adds a cultural footnote to a beach holiday. It's hardly essential viewing, but if you're interested in British art history and happen to be in the area, it's a respectful nod to a painter who captured the sublime power of nature long before photography existed.