Big Art Studio

Working artists' spaces aren't always welcoming to the casually curious, but Big Art Studio in Sussex actually encourages visitors to wander through. It's a proper creative hub where you'll find painters, sculptors and printmakers in their element - and the best part is watching them work rather than just viewing finished pieces behind velvet ropes.

The studio occupies a converted industrial building near Pevensey, which gives it that raw, unpretentious feel. You'll see work at various stages of completion, which somehow makes art feel less intimidating. There's something reassuring about spotting an artist wrestling with the same compositional problems you've probably thought about yourself.

It's brilliant for anyone serious about contemporary art or craft. Casual visitors might spend 45 minutes here; proper enthusiasts will lose a couple of hours easily. You can usually buy work directly from the studios, which means reasonable pricing and genuine conversations about technique.

If you're staying at nearby Pevensey Bay Holiday Park or the excellent Warren Wood Country Park, Big Art Studio makes a satisfying morning or early afternoon break - not a full day's entertainment, but genuinely worth the detour. It pairs well with a coastal walk afterwards. The studio tends to be quieter midweek, so avoid weekends if you want the artists' attention. Ring ahead to check opening times and whether you need to book - the last thing you want is driving over only to find the studios shut for a private event.