The Avenue Church

The Avenue Church sits on a quiet residential street in Paignton, easily walkable from the seafront if you're staying at nearby Oakmoor Touring Park. It's a proper Victorian gem - all red brick and period detail - that most visitors bypass entirely in favour of the beach and amusement arcades. Inside, the furnishings and layout are genuinely interesting if you care about ecclesiastical architecture. The light through the stained glass is lovely on a clear afternoon.

This isn't a tourist trap. You'll likely be one of maybe three people there on any given day, which either feels peaceful or a bit eerie depending on your mood. History buffs and anyone interested in Victorian nonconformist chapels will find it worth twenty minutes. Families with young children might struggle - there's nothing interactive, and it's small enough that restlessness kicks in quickly.

Admission details aren't particularly publicised, so check ahead or pop in if the doors are open - many local churches operate on an honour system or ask a small donation. If you're doing a few days in Paignton with Oakmoor as your base, it's a decent rainy-day alternative to sitting in a caravan. Worth fitting in if you're already exploring the quieter residential areas away from the seafront, but it's not worth planning a special trip around.