St. Martin Church, Sherford

The church sits quietly at the heart of Sherford village, a proper medieval job that's been watching over the South Hams for centuries. Stone walls, a sturdy tower, and that particular smell of old wood and worn stone floors - you know the type. Inside, it's all dark wooden pews and high ceilings, with enough accumulated history to keep anyone interested for half an hour or so.

It's the sort of place that appeals to architecture enthusiasts and anyone doing the church-crawl thing around Devon. Families with kids might find it a bit static unless they're genuinely keen on spotting carved roof bosses and Victorian stonework. The real draw is its setting - Sherford's a working village, not a tourist trap, so you get an authentic slice of rural South Devon without the crowds you'd find at bigger attractions.

Access appears unrestricted during daylight hours, and there's no admission charge. Allow maybe 20 minutes to look around properly, longer if you're the type who reads every plaque and studies the windows. It pairs well with a stay at Start Bay Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite, just 2.4 miles away near Kingsbridge, which gives you a decent base for exploring the area's coastal paths and other churches dotted around the peninsula.

Worth a detour if you're in the neighbourhood? Absolutely. Worth driving out of your way specifically? Only if you're collecting Devon churches.