St Mary at the Cross

The church sits right in the heart of Seaton, impossible to miss and free to wander into at any reasonable hour. St Mary at the Cross is a proper medieval parish church - the sort of place that's been watching over the town since the 1300s, though it's been rebuilt and fiddled with plenty of times since then.

Inside, it's quiet and cool, with decent stained glass and the usual carved stone that comes with age. The nave's got character without being showy about it. You'll spend twenty minutes here, tops, unless you're seriously into ecclesiastical architecture - which, fair play if you are.

Truth is, this works best as part of a wander around Seaton itself rather than a destination in its own right. The town's got a seaside charm and there's a decent pebble beach if the weather plays ball. If you're staying at Beer Head Holiday Park down the coast, it's easily worth a half-hour detour on your way through town for a nose around and a cup of tea at one of the cafes nearby.

The church tells you something about Seaton's age and importance - it's been a working parish for centuries. That matters if you care about how places have actually developed rather than just how they look now. But if you're after dramatic views or interactive exhibits, you'll be disappointed. It's a church, full stop. Go because you're in the area, not because of the church itself.