The Convent of the Sisters of Mary Morning Star

High above Lynton sits a working convent that's far quieter than most churches you'll stumble upon. The Sisters of Mary Morning Star keep a contemplative space here, and if you time it right, you can slip in to find near-total silence - the kind that makes your ears ring a bit. The building itself is modest, nothing like the grand Victorian churches dotted around North Devon, but that's rather the point.

It's genuinely worth a visit if you're the reflective type or simply after somewhere calm to sit for twenty minutes. The views across the valley are decent enough too, though you don't come here for the scenery - you come for the peace. Don't expect frills or tourist facilities. There's no café, no gift shop, no interpretation panels explaining everything. It's a proper working convent, not a heritage attraction masquerading as one.

If you're staying at Lynmouth Holiday Retreat - only a short walk away - this makes an excellent detour on a morning stroll. The walk up is a touch steep but manageable, and most people spend forty minutes here maximum unless they're there for actual prayer. Go mid-week in off-season and you'll have the place almost entirely to yourself. Weekends can bring the occasional curious visitor, but it never feels crowded. Worth the detour if contemplation appeals to you more than crowds.