St Martin church, Martinhoe

The church sits high on the cliffs between Lynton and Lynmouth, a proper windswept spot where the views matter more than the building itself. St Martin's is a small, simple affair - medieval stone with that slightly austere look Devon churches often have - but step outside and you're standing on some of the most dramatic coastline in the South West. The Exmoor cliffs fall away sharply; on a clear day you can see for miles.

It's worth the detour if you're walking the coastal paths around Lynton - and you absolutely should be, this stretch is outstanding. The church isn't a long stop; fifteen minutes is enough to look around inside and grab those views. There's no visitor infrastructure to speak of, which rather suits it. Bring a waterproof; the weather can turn fast up here.

Families doing a park holiday at Lynmouth Holiday Retreat or Longlands will find this a good half-hour walk from the village - longer if you're coming from Sandaway Beach. History buffs might spend longer pondering the medieval structure, but this is really a walker's pause rather than a destination in itself. The real pull is the landscape: you're looking at the kind of raw Devon coast that makes you understand why people came here in the first place. Go early morning if you want solitude.