St Mary's Church, Appledore

The church sits at the heart of Appledore village, a tight cluster of grade-listed buildings tumbling down towards the Torridge estuary. St Mary's is medieval - proper medieval, with the kind of weathered stonework that tells you it's been standing here for centuries while the world changed around it. The interior is simple and dignified, with high windows letting in proper light across the nave. You'll find the usual church features - wooden pews, a decent font, the sort of quiet that makes you whisper without meaning to.

This is one for anyone with an interest in local history or ecclesiastical architecture, though it's also the kind of place walkers stumble upon between exploring the village's narrow streets and the riverside path. The churchyard itself rewards a wander, with views across towards Bideford and the water beyond. Allow twenty minutes if you're just popping in, longer if you're the type to read every memorial.

Appledore itself is the real draw - a proper working fishing village with restaurants and galleries mixed in among the Georgian townhouses. If you're camping at one of the parks nearby - Braddicks is closest at two and a half miles - this makes an easy morning visit before heading to the coast or exploring Bideford itself. The village is compact enough to cover on foot, so park up at Braddicks or Owl Valley and walk in. There's something about visiting a place like this without rushing that makes it stick with you.