1 of 1 Studio & Gallery | Jo FitzGerald Art

Jo FitzGerald's studio and gallery sits within striking distance of Ilfracombe, offering a proper working artist's space rather than the usual polished gallery experience. You'll find contemporary art on display - the kind of place where you can actually see what an artist does day-to-day, not just the finished pieces hung on white walls.

It's the sort of venue that works brilliantly if you're the type who enjoys watching creative process unfold. The studio setup means you get a genuine sense of how the work comes together, which beats a sterile commercial gallery every time. Whether you're a serious art collector or just curious about what's happening in the local creative scene, there's something unpretentious about the whole setup.

For families with young children, it depends entirely on the child - some will find it fascinating, others will be bored within ten minutes. Serious art enthusiasts and painters will get far more from it. If you're based at one of the nearby camping parks like Hidden Valley, Ruda Holiday Park, or Woolacombe Sands Holiday Park, it makes a decent rainy-day diversion or a quick morning stop before heading to the beach at Ilfracombe.

Opening hours and admission details aren't confirmed, so ring ahead before making the trip - nothing worse than driving out to find the doors shut. It's worth a visit if contemporary art is genuinely your thing, but don't expect a major production. Think of it as a local artist's space, because that's exactly what it is.