St Mary's Catholic Church

The Victorian Gothic Revival building dominates a corner of Ilfracombe's town centre, its red sandstone impossibly vivid against the Devon sky. St Mary's was built in 1862 and feels properly Victorian - all high ceilings, ornate tiles, and that particular smell of old wood and candle wax that churches seem to keep forever.

Inside, the stained glass is genuinely striking without being overly fussy. The craftsmanship shows - you can spend a good twenty minutes just looking at the windows if you're into that sort of thing, which most serious church-spotters are. The interior's well-maintained, which is refreshing; some Victorian churches feel neglected, but this one doesn't.

It works best for architecture enthusiasts and anyone doing a proper church crawl around North Devon. Families won't spend hours here - maybe half an hour at most - but it's worth a quick stop between beach visits and ice cream runs. Kids might actually engage if you point out the gargoyles and explain why Victorians loved making everything look a bit mad.

Admission appears free, though it's worth checking locally since opening hours aren't widely publicised. The building sits close to the seafront action, so it's no detour if you're already in Ilfracombe. If you're based at either Stowford Farm Meadows or Hidden Valley Touring Parks nearby, it's only a short drive into town. Pair it with the coastal walks around Ilfracombe - there's genuinely brilliant stuff within ten minutes' walk.