St Mary Church, Morchard Bishop

The church sits quietly in the village of Morchard Bishop, a 15-minute drive south of Crediton, and it's one of those places that rewards the slight detour. St Mary is a solid medieval parish church, all grey stone and proper Devon character, with a tower that's been watching over the village for centuries. Inside, the craftsmanship is what gets you - carved roof bosses, old bench ends, the kind of detail that makes you slow down and actually look around instead of just ticking a box.

It's free to visit and you can spend as long as you like wandering around, though most people give it half an hour unless they're really into church architecture. The village itself is small enough that you won't find much faffing about, but that's rather the point. This is a working parish church, so times can vary - worth ringing ahead if you're making a special trip.

For families staying at Yeatheridge Farm Caravan Park just down the road, it's an easy walk or a five-minute drive. Kids won't stay engaged for hours, but it's a good stop if you're cycling round the Devonshire countryside or breaking up a park-based holiday with some local exploring. The real appeal is that it feels genuinely lived-in rather than preserved-in-aspic. If medieval churches do nothing for you, skip it. If you like the texture of old English villages, you'll find it time well spent.