St Julitta's Church, St Juliot

The church sits in a valley near St Juliot, a few miles inland from Bude, and it's a proper trek to find it - which is rather the point. St Julitta's is tiny, medieval, and genuinely quiet in a way most churches aren't anymore. You'll find yourself alone more often than not, standing in front of stone walls that have been here since before most of England had windows.

Inside, it's stripped back to essentials: old pews, a modest altar, the kind of simplicity that makes you understand why people used to find peace in places like this. The church has links to the novelist Thomas Hardy, who visited and drew inspiration from it - literary types will appreciate that connection, though you won't find plaques spelling it out for you.

It's free to visit and there's no fixed opening hours business - you just show up. Allow 20 minutes, maybe 30 if you're the type to sit quietly for a bit. The walk from the car park involves a descent through countryside that's genuinely lovely, particularly in late spring.

For families, it depends entirely on the kids. If yours are the type who'll wander about picking wildflowers while you catch your breath, fine. If they need facilities and activities, they'll be bored in under five minutes. Pencuke Farm Holiday Cottages is only three miles away though, so you could slot this in as a gentle morning while staying locally - pair it with a walk along the coast nearer Bude afterwards. It's not spectacular, but it's real.