Saint James' Christow

The little church sits quietly in Christow village, a few miles south of Newton Abbot, and it's one of those places that rewards you simply for turning up. Saint James' is a proper working parish church with the kind of worn stone and low doorways that mean you have to duck slightly - always a good sign that something's been standing for centuries.

Inside, it's all vaulted ceilings and that particular smell of old wood and candlewax that you don't get anywhere else. The church dates back to medieval times, and you can spot the original features if you look up - the craftsmanship in the roof timbers is genuinely impressive. There's a real sense of continuity here; this isn't a museum piece, but a living church where people still gather on Sundays.

It's the sort of stop that takes twenty minutes unless you're properly into church architecture, in which case you could happily spend longer studying the stonework. Free to visit, obviously, and the village itself is pleasant enough for a short wander afterwards. If you're staying at Sunsets & Marshmallows just down the road, this makes a decent morning outing before heading back for brunch. Not a show-stopper, but genuinely atmospheric - the kind of place that feels authentic rather than curated for visitors. Worth the detour if you're in the area exploring, though don't expect dramatic views or dramatic anything. Just peaceful, old, and real.