Pride Bench

The Pride Bench sits in Dawlish, a seaside town that's had its ups and downs over the years but has quietly become a decent spot for a coastal break. It's a gallery installation - a working bench, really - that doubles as public art and a statement. You can sit on it, which is rather the point. It's the kind of thing that makes you think, or at least makes you smile if you're the type who appreciates a bit of understated activism in a traditional English seaside setting.

Dawlish itself is compact enough that the Pride Bench slots naturally into a wander around town. The seafront has that familiar Devon charm - sandy beach, modest promenade, fish and chips shops. The bench won't take you long to find or photograph, but it's worth a few minutes if you're passing through.

Families staying at any of the nearby parks - Dawlish Sands, Haven Devon Cliffs, Cofton Holidays - will find the town centre easily reached for an afternoon stroll. It's the sort of thing older kids might appreciate more than younger ones; little ones will be more drawn to the actual beach. If you're after something deeper, Dawlish also has a decent stretch of red cliffs and some decent walking trails along the coast.

Admission details are thin on the ground, but as it's a public bench, you're not paying to sit on it. Just turn up when you fancy. Late spring through early autumn works best - the weather's more reliable and town life picks up.