The Parish of Saint Nicholas

A short walk inland from Looe's busy harbour, this medieval church sits quietly at the heart of a village that most tourists miss. The Parish of Saint Nicholas has that proper old-world feel - stone walls, narrow doorways, the kind of place where you genuinely believe centuries of locals have worshipped in the same spot.

Inside, the church is modest but atmospheric. Medieval stone work, a decent font, and the usual accoutrements of Anglican life, but it's the setting that wins you over rather than any single showstopper. The churchyard itself is worth lingering in - good views back towards Looe and the surrounding countryside that reminds you why people settled here in the first place.

It's free to visit, obviously, though opening hours aren't widely advertised so you may find it locked outside service times. Ring ahead or try your luck - weekday mornings tend to be safest. Allow thirty minutes maximum, unless you're genuinely keen on church architecture, in which case you could stretch it to an hour with the churchyard.

Families won't find much to hold kids' attention, but walkers doing a loop between Looe and the coastal paths should factor this in. It breaks up a walk nicely and gives you somewhere to sit if the weather turns. If you're staying at Tencreek or one of the holiday parks within a couple of miles, this is an easy addition to an afternoon - proper local, nothing touristy about it.