Afloat

Art on the water sounds like a gimmick until you actually see it. Afloat is a gallery space in Sussex that takes contemporary art seriously, even though it operates from an unconventional setting near Brighton. The work here tends toward the experimental - installations and pieces that wouldn't necessarily fit in a traditional white-box gallery, which is precisely why the space exists.

You'll spend anywhere from forty minutes to two hours here depending on how deeply you engage with what's on. It's not the sort of place you'd drag reluctant teenagers to, but art students and anyone serious about contemporary practice will find it worthwhile. The location near Brighton means it works brilliantly as a half-day trip if you're camped at Pegs and Pitches (just 1.4 miles away) or Brighton Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite - neither requires much of a drive.

Admission details aren't widely publicised, so ring ahead or check their website before you go. Opening hours shift seasonally, so don't assume Saturday afternoon access without confirmation. The real appeal here isn't the comfort factor - you're visiting because you're genuinely interested in what's being shown, not because you fancy a leisurely browse. Combine it with a proper walk along Brighton seafront or a look around one of the nearby parks, and you've got a solid cultural morning sorted. Worth the detour if contemporary art is your thing, but not a draw on its own merits for casual visitors.