Palm Leas

A Victorian folly perched above Ilfracombe's coastline, Palm Leas is one of those wonderfully daft landmarks that makes you grin the moment you spot it. Built in the 1880s as a private residence, this ornate tower with its castellated top sits like something dreamed up by a Victorian industrialist with more money than sense - which is exactly what happened. The structure itself is modest in scale but commanding in character, all sandstone and architectural flourish overlooking the Devon coast.

Truth is, Palm Leas works best as a photograph stop rather than a destination you'll spend hours at. You'll walk up, admire the thing, take your shot, and be done in twenty minutes. The views across towards Lundy Island and down the coastline are proper, though - worth the brief scramble up if you're already exploring Ilfracombe. Families with younger children might find it underwhelming; teenagers or architecture enthusiasts will get more of a kick from it.

Access from the town centre is straightforward enough, and there's no admission fee that I'm aware of. If you're camped at Hele Valley Holiday Park or Sandaway Beach just nearby, it's an easy addition to a morning's coastal wandering. Pair it with a proper walk along the South West Coast Path or a visit to Tunnels Beaches below, and you've got a decent half-day sorted. Visit when the light's right - late afternoon throws the tower into sharp relief against the headland, far better than squinting into the sun at midday.