Kingsbridge Cookworthy Museum

The Cookworthy Museum sits right in the heart of Kingsbridge, housed in a Grade II listed townhouse that's worth a look in itself. Inside, you'll find a collection focused on William Cookworthy, the 18th-century chemist and porcelain maker who basically invented English hard-paste porcelain - proper significant stuff if you're into that sort of thing. The museum also covers local history, which means decent exhibits on the town's maritime heritage and domestic life through the ages.

It's best suited to history buffs and anyone with a genuine interest in ceramics or Georgian-era innovation. Kids might find it a bit dry unless they're already into museums, to be honest. Most people spend between one and two hours here, which is about right - enough to get the measure of the place without it feeling like a marathon.

The main draw is understanding Cookworthy's legacy and seeing some of the early porcelain pieces he developed. It's free admission, which helps justify the visit if you're camping locally and have a rainy afternoon to kill. Speaking of which, you're well positioned if you're staying at South Devon Camping Lower Terawhiti Farm or Wilton Farm just a few miles out - Kingsbridge town centre is easy to reach, so you can pop in between days exploring the coastal walks and beaches around Start Bay.

Go when it's actually open - hours can be patchy, so ring ahead before making the trip in.