Carl Middleton

Carl Middleton's gallery sits just outside Taunton, and it's the sort of place that rewards a quiet hour away from the main tourist drag. The artist's work fills the space with a directness that cuts through the usual gallery noise - you know within minutes whether it speaks to you or doesn't. No pretence, no trying too hard to make visitors feel they've missed something obvious.

The gallery works best for people who actually care about contemporary visual art rather than those ticking off "culture" on a holiday checklist. If you're the type who can stand in front of a piece for ten minutes without checking your phone, you'll find something here. Children will likely fidget after half an hour, and that's fine - it's not designed as family entertainment.

Access details are thin on the ground, which is typical for independent galleries. Best ringing ahead or checking their social media for opening times and whether there's an entrance fee. Allow an hour, maybe ninety minutes if you're the lingering sort.

If you're based at Cornish Farm Touring Park or Ashe Farm just down the road, it makes a proper rainy-day option, though you'd want decent weather to justify the drive from Holly Bush or 5 Acres on the Somerset Levels further out. It's not a major draw by itself - more a worthwhile addition to a Taunton weekend if you're already in the area.