The Methodist Church Combe Martin

The Methodist Church sits on the high street in Combe Martin, a steep little village that tumbles down to the North Devon coast between Ilfracombe and Lynton. It's a proper Victorian chapel with the sort of solid, no-nonsense architecture that tells you this was built when Methodism actually meant something to a community.

Inside, you'll find the usual chapel fixtures - good woodwork, decent stained glass, and that particular smell of old hymn books and furniture polish that takes you straight back. The real appeal is the building itself rather than any museum displays or guided tours. It's a straightforward snapshot of how ordinary people worshipped a century ago, which matters more than you might think when you're trying to understand the place.

This isn't a major draw on its own. You're looking at fifteen minutes maximum, and only if you're already passing through the village or have a thing for ecclesiastical architecture. But if you're staying at Watermouth Valley Camping Park nearby - which is genuinely excellent - Combe Martin itself is worth a wander. The village is steep as anything, the coastal views are excellent, and there's a proper working harbour with cafes that don't try too hard.

Go if you're doing a walking holiday in North Devon and like seeing how places actually lived. Skip it if you're time-pressed or need something with more happening inside the walls. The surrounding area is the real star here.