Maidencombe Village Green

The village green at Maidencombe is one of those proper Devon spots that doesn't announce itself - you'll stumble upon it while wandering the quiet lanes between Torquay and the coast, and that's precisely the point. It's a small, functioning green where locals actually congregate rather than somewhere tarted up for tourists, with a handful of cottages gathered around and the kind of peace that makes you remember why you came to Devon in the first place.

There isn't much to "do" here in the traditional sense, which is rather the appeal. You can walk it in ten minutes, sit on a bench if one appears, and take in the village life that carries on regardless of whether you're watching. The views towards the surrounding hills are gentle rather than dramatic, and the whole thing has the feel of somewhere that was pleasant fifty years ago and hasn't seen much reason to change.

This works best if you're already in the area exploring the South Devon coast or based at Parkdean Resorts Torquay Holiday Park just down the road - it's a nice break from beach days rather than a destination in itself. Families with very young children might find a quarter-hour here enough before the green loses its appeal. Walkers doing longer routes along the South West Coast Path will find it a rewarding detour, particularly if you're staying at Brownscombe or The Smithy Luxury Glamping Pods nearby and fancy stretching your legs away from the crowds.

Free to visit, naturally. Allow twenty minutes unless you're genuinely keen on photographing every cottage.