WW2 Spotlight Station

On the cliffs above Brixham, you'll find the remnants of a Second World War searchlight station - one of those crucial but often overlooked defensive posts that ringed the British coastline during the blitz. The concrete foundations and scattered remains tell the story of young operators who spent nights scanning the dark sky for enemy bombers heading inland from the Channel.

It's not a reconstructed visitor centre with interactive displays. This is the real thing, left largely as it was found, which makes it either brilliant or disappointing depending on what you're after. If you're serious about WW2 history and don't mind picking through ruins to imagine what life was actually like, it's absolutely worth the detour from Brixham. Kids might find it underwhelming unless they're already into military history - there's not much to do except look and think.

The walk up is straightforward enough, though the views across Torbay make it worthwhile regardless. Allow half an hour unless you're the type to linger over every corroded bolt and wonder about the people who manned it.

Staying at one of the nearby parks - South Bay is closest at just over 3 miles - puts you perfectly placed to explore both the site and the wider heritage of the area. Brixham itself is packed with maritime history, so you can thread this into a proper coastal weekend without it feeling like a dedicated military pilgrimage.