St Jude's Church

The walk up to St Jude's Church from Plymouth's city centre takes you through streets that feel properly removed from the shopping precinct chaos. Once you're there, it's a Victorian Gothic church that doesn't shout about itself - solid red brick, proper attention to detail in the stonework, the kind of thing Victorian architects actually cared about. Inside, the light comes through decently, and if you're into Victorian churches at all, the fixtures and fittings reward a closer look. The real draw, though, is the peace. Plymouth's busy enough that finding a quiet corner feels almost illicit.

This is one for people who like their history understated rather than heavily signposted. You won't spend hours here - twenty minutes to half an hour does it properly - but it's the sort of place that breaks up a city walk well. If you're staying at Dartmoor Domes just up the road, it's worth dropping into town for this and a proper lunch, makes for a balanced half-day.

Admission appears to be free, though opening hours aren't widely advertised online, so check locally before you make the trip. Go midweek morning if you want to avoid the Plymouth footfall. It's not the sort of place that photographs brilliantly, which probably means fewer crowds than it deserves. Church enthusiasts will find it worthwhile; casual visitors might find it a bit austere.