Polperro Methodists Church

The narrow streets of Polperro wind down to the sea in a way that makes you forget you're in the 21st century, and tucked among the whitewashed cottages is this small Methodist chapel - a proper part of the village's fabric rather than a tourist tick-box. Built in the 1800s, it's one of those places where you catch the actual rhythm of village life if you time it right for a service, though popping your head in on a weekday afternoon works just as well if the door's unlocked.

It's not a grand building and you won't spend hours here - maybe ten minutes tops - but that's exactly the point. This is local history without the visitor centre glossiness. The interior is simple and honest, the kind of space where generations of Polperro residents have sat for Sunday service. If you're walking through the village anyway, which you should be, it's worth a look. The real draw is the village itself: steep lanes, a working harbour, fish and chips worth the queue.

For families staying at Killigarth Manor or Tencreek, both within walking distance, this works as part of a proper morning exploring the village before heading back for lunch. History buffs will appreciate seeing how ordinary people worshipped; others will just enjoy the sense of stepping sideways out of time. Don't expect polished displays or guided tours. This is the real Polperro, not the postcard version.