Kennford Village Sign

The village sign at Kennford isn't a grand structure - it's actually rather modest, which is exactly why it works. Sitting just south of Exeter on the A38, this hand-painted wooden sign marks the entrance to what's essentially a commuter village that time hasn't entirely forgotten. The sign itself is the sort of thing locals probably pass without thinking twice, but if you're breaking up a drive between Exeter and the coast, it's worth a quick stop.

What you're looking at is a proper example of traditional village artwork - the kind of thing that tells you something about a place without needing a gift shop attached. It's the work of someone who cared about their community, not mass-produced corporate branding. You'll spend all of five minutes here, but that's the point. It's a photograph opportunity, a reminder that villages still have character, even the ones built for people commuting to larger towns.

Families staying at the nearby holiday parks - Cofton Holidays is closest at just under five miles - won't get much from lingering here. But if you're touring the lanes around Exeter with older kids or you're into spotting village signs across Devon, Kennford's is worth the detour. Free, obviously, and no opening hours to worry about since it's just there on the street.

Treat it as a waypoint rather than a destination. The real draw is the surrounding countryside and the fact you're genuinely close to Exeter's attractions without being in the city itself.