St Augustine's Catholic Church

The red sandstone tower of St Augustine's rises above Seaton's high street like a Victorian brick statement - impossible to miss, hard to ignore. Built in the 1870s, it's the sort of church that talks about the town's prosperity during the railway boom, when money flowed and aspirations soared. Step inside and you'll find the usual Victorian church business: soaring nave, decent stained glass, that particular smell of old wood and stone that never quite leaves your clothes.

It's not a sprawling cathedral, so don't arrive expecting an afternoon's worth of exploring. Twenty minutes will get you round it properly. The real draw is architectural - if you care about Victorian Gothic Revival you'll spot the details worth photographing. Families with restless kids might find it a bit static unless they're already church-keen.

Seaton itself is a proper seaside town, the sort where you can actually get fish and chips without paying London prices, and the seafront walk beats staring at another gift shop. St Augustine's sits right in the centre, so popping in costs nothing but time if you're already browsing the high street.

If you're based at Beer Head Holiday Park, it's a short drive down the coast. Even from Oakdown further inland, it's worth the detour as part of a Seaton afternoon rather than a dedicated trip. Combine it with a coastal walk and you've got yourself a decent half-day sorted.