Artist

There's a working artist's studio and gallery just east of Ipswich where you can actually watch people making things rather than just gawping at finished pieces behind glass. The setup lets you see into the creative process - sketches on walls, half-finished canvases, the whole messy reality of making art. It's refreshingly unpretentious stuff.

You'll find painters, sculptors, and printmakers depending on who's in residence. Some days the studio's buzzing with activity; other times you'll have the place practically to yourself. If you're the type who wants to chat with artists about their work and maybe understand what you're actually looking at, this beats a sterile gallery every time. Fair warning though: opening hours aren't fixed, so ring ahead before making the trip from wherever you're staying.

Families with older kids who aren't bored stiff by art will get more from this than younger ones. Walkers exploring the Ipswich area might stumble upon it and be pleasantly surprised. History buffs won't find much to grab hold of, but if you care about contemporary practice and the graft that goes into making something, it's worth an hour.

If you're parked up at Suffolk Steel House, Strangers, or Priory Park for a week, this makes a decent half-day detour rather than the main event. Admission details are murky, so assume there might be a small charge or suggested donation. Best visited midweek when it's calmer.