Saint John Baptist

The church door swings open onto a proper slice of Devon ecclesiastical history. Saint John Baptist sits in a quiet corner near Chard, and what strikes you first is the sheer age of the place - medieval stonework, worn flagstones, the kind of light that filters through old glass and makes everything feel momentarily outside time.

Inside, you'll find yourself in a space that's been quietly serving its community for centuries. The architecture tells the story better than any plaque could: Gothic windows, timber roof, and the sort of peaceful atmosphere that makes you instinctively lower your voice. It's the kind of church that rewards a slow wander rather than a quick tick-off.

This works best if you're into ecclesiastical architecture or just fancy a moment of genuine quiet during your holiday. Families with young kids might find twenty minutes about right before restlessness sets in. Historians and photographers will linger longer - the medieval details are genuinely interesting if you know what you're looking at.

The real value here is as part of a broader exploration of the area. Pair it with a stay at nearby Dimpsey Shepherd's Hut Glamping or Hartridge Springs Spa Glamping - both about six miles away - and you've got the bones of a proper cultural weekend. It's free to visit, as most parish churches are, though a donation box will be waiting. Go mid-week if you want solitude. The surrounding countryside is worth walking through as much as the building itself.