Artesia ltd

The gallery space in Lee-on-the-Solent operates as a proper working studio and exhibition venue, which means you're not just looking at art - you're seeing it in the actual context where it's made. It's refreshingly unpretentious, the kind of place where the artist might be in the back room and you can actually have a conversation about what's on the walls rather than shuffle past in silence.

What you'll find depends on what's showing when you visit, but the emphasis is on contemporary work with a regional focus. The space itself is intimate - you won't need more than thirty to forty minutes here, which is fine because it works as a stopping point rather than a destination in itself. The real value is in the genuine engagement with local artists and their practice.

Best suited to anyone with a genuine interest in contemporary art rather than casual browsers. If you're staying at Hayling Island Holiday Park, it's barely four miles away and worth a quick detour on a drizzly afternoon. Equally convenient from Fishery Creek Touring Park if you're basing yourself across the water.

Do check ahead before you visit - gallery hours can be a bit fluid depending on what's happening, and admission details aren't universally advertised. Ring ahead to confirm they're open and whether there's a show on. It's the kind of place that rewards a bit of planning rather than a spontaneous drop-in, but if contemporary art is your thing, it's worth the effort.