Holy Cross Church, Cruwys Morchard

There's something rather moving about stumbling upon a proper working parish church in the middle of rural Devon, and Holy Cross at Cruwys Morchard delivers exactly that. The building itself dates back centuries, with that satisfying medieval feel you get from thick stone walls and narrow windows - the sort of place where you can practically feel the weight of history pressing down on the pews.

Inside, it's quiet. No visitor centre, no gift shop, just a church doing what churches do. The interior has genuine character without being overly fussy, and there's that particular smell - old wood, stone, maybe a hint of candle wax - that takes you straight back.

This works best for people who actually like visiting churches rather than ticking boxes. If you're the sort who enjoys wandering into parish churches off the beaten track and sitting for ten minutes with a cup of peace and quiet, you'll get something real here. Heritage enthusiasts will find the architecture satisfying, though it's not going to blow anyone's mind if you're church-fatigue already.

The village itself is the proper Devon countryside - fields, farms, not much else - so you're looking at a brief stop rather than a destination in itself. Allow half an hour max. Free to visit, obviously. If you're camping nearby at Nirvana Glamping, it's the sort of easy detour worth making on a morning walk before heading towards Tiverton for supplies. Best visited midweek when it's properly peaceful.