Bulkhead

You'll find Bulkhead tucked away near Canterbury, a contemporary art gallery that punches above its weight for a Kent venue. It's the sort of place where you wander in expecting thirty minutes and end up staying for two, circling back to pieces that caught your eye the first time round.

The space itself matters as much as what's on the walls. There's room to breathe, proper lighting, and the kind of layout where you're never crowded even when there's a decent crowd. Work tends toward the modern end of the spectrum - paintings, installations, photography, sculpture - though the programming shifts regularly enough that repeat visits make sense.

For art types it's essential. Anyone with a passing interest in contemporary practice will find something worth their time. Kids and people who treat galleries like a mandatory box to tick? Less so, unless there's something specifically geared toward them running that week.

It's a natural pairing with a Canterbury trip - the cathedral is your main draw, obviously, but Bulkhead gives you a cultural hit that's altogether different. If you're staying at Canterbury Camping and Caravanning Club Campsite or one of the glamping spots dotted around the area - Mount Ephraim or Brook Farm are both within striking distance - this fills a rainy afternoon or an early evening visit before dinner in town.

Bit of advice: ring ahead if you can. Opening hours and admission aren't straightforward online, and you'll want to know what's showing before you make the trip.