Newton Abbot Spiritualist Church

The Spiritualist Church on the outskirts of Newton Abbot is a working place of worship with a genuinely unusual atmosphere - you won't find the usual hymn books and organ here. Services focus on mediumship demonstrations and spiritual healing rather than traditional hymn singing, which makes it properly different from your average parish church visit.

Inside it's modest and intimate, the kind of place where regulars clearly know each other well. The congregation tends to be older and genuinely committed to the spiritualist faith - this isn't a tourist attraction dressed up as one, which you'll either find fascinating or slightly awkward depending on your take on the whole thing.

It works best for people with a genuine interest in spiritualism or alternative spirituality. If you're just after a quaint Devon church to photograph, keep walking. But if you're curious about how people actually practice spiritualism in Britain, or you've got an open mind about mediumship, it's worth popping in during a service to observe. Contact them beforehand to check if visitors are welcome.

Newton Abbot itself is a proper working market town - nothing twee about it - so you won't feel like you're mucking about in some heritage theme park. If you're staying at Oakmoor Touring Park just down the road, it's an easy drive into town. Give yourself an hour if you go to a service, longer if you want to chat with people afterwards.