Canvas Gallery

Canvas Gallery sits just outside Poole and is run by actual artists who use the space to show their own work alongside other local makers. It's the sort of place where you'll stumble across paintings, ceramics, jewellery and prints from people who actually know what they're talking about - no corporate gallery vibes here.

The space itself is modest but well-curated. You're looking at work that's genuinely for sale rather than behind velvet ropes, which means you can have a proper chat with the artists if they're around. Some pieces are striking, others are the kind of thing that grows on you the more you stare at it. Expect to spend 45 minutes to an hour here - longer if you're the type who likes to linger over each piece.

It's ideal if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Rockley Park is only four and a half miles away, making this a low-stress half-day detour. The gallery works well for art lovers and anyone after something a bit different from the usual seaside attractions. Kids won't get much out of it unless they're already into galleries, to be honest.

Admission details aren't listed online, so ring ahead or check their website before you visit. Worth the effort if contemporary art floats your boat, but don't make it the centrepiece of your holiday. It's a pleasant addition to a Poole visit, not a destination in itself.