St Matthew’s Church

The churchyard sits quietly on the edge of South Brent, and St Matthew's is one of those proper Devon churches that rewards a slow wander around its grounds as much as time spent inside. The building itself dates back centuries - the sort of place where you can run your hand along stonework that's weathered countless winters and feel genuinely connected to the people who've passed through these doors.

Inside, there's the usual church treasury of carved wooden details and brass plaques, but what strikes most visitors is the sheer peacefulness of it. No crowds, no gift shop, no pressure to move along. You can sit in a pew for as long as you like, which makes it ideal for anyone needing a quiet moment during a holiday. Families with older kids won't find it boring if they're the sort to appreciate a bit of local history - younger ones might lose interest after ten minutes, depending on their tolerance for stillness.

It's free to pop in, and there's no time limit. Early morning or late afternoon tends to be when you'll have it practically to yourself. If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Ashbourne Woods, Yeatheridge Farm, or Hidden Hill just a few miles away - this makes an easy detour on a walk through South Brent itself. Pair it with a browse of the village and perhaps a cream tea, and you've got a proper English afternoon sorted. Worth the twenty minutes it'll take, but don't expect anything flashy.