Venn Ottery Solar Time

A bronze sundial sits in the middle of nowhere near West Hill, marking solar time with the kind of precise irrelevance that makes you smile. It's the sort of thing you stumble upon while exploring the Devon countryside, rather than something you'd plan a day around. The dial itself is modest - nothing grand or showy - but it's oddly satisfying to stand there and realise you're looking at actual solar noon rather than the time on your phone.

Walkers and history types will get the most from this one, particularly those who enjoy the minor quirks scattered across Devon's rural lanes. It's free, obviously, and takes about five minutes to see properly. Don't expect crowds or infrastructure. You'll need to find your own parking nearby and be comfortable with a bit of a ramble to locate it.

If you're staying at one of the holiday parks in the area - Cuckoo Down Farm Glamping is closest at just over a mile away - this works as a gentle diversion during a countryside walk rather than a destination in itself. Ladram Bay, a few miles south, offers better facilities if you need them. The real appeal here is how it sits within the Devon landscape rather than as a standalone draw. It's the kind of spot that makes you appreciate why people move to this part of the world.