St. Anne's Church, Bucks Mills

The church sits on a cliff edge overlooking Bucks Mills village, and it's the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. St. Anne's is a working parish church with genuine medieval bones - the sort of building that feels lived-in rather than museum-like. The interior is modest but atmospheric, with stone walls that creak under centuries of weathering and windows that let pale Devon light spill across the pews.

Walkers exploring the coastal paths around Bideford tend to find this one by accident, which is precisely when it works best. The real draw is the location itself. Park at Bucks Mills village and you've got a proper clifftop walk, with the church marking a natural stopping point. It takes maybe twenty minutes from the car park, and the path is well-maintained if a bit steep in places.

It's free to visit, and there's no faffing about with opening hours - the door's usually open during daylight. Families with young children might find it a quick stop rather than an hour-long affair, but walkers crossing the area will want to spend time in the graveyard looking out over the water. The village itself is tiny, so combine this with a stay at nearby Roeys Retreat Campsite or Coastal Cabins Glamping and you've got a decent morning sorted. Don't expect gift shops or refreshments here - bring what you need from Bideford. Worth the detour if you're already walking the coast; not worth a special journey on its own.