Clacton Art Gallery

The art gallery sits right in the heart of Clacton-on-Sea, which means you can combine a gallery visit with the seaside without any faffing about. It's a modest space - not the sort of place where you'll lose three hours squinting at abstract canvases - but it does rotate exhibitions throughout the year, so what's on depends entirely on when you visit.

Local artists get a proper look-in here, which is refreshing. You'll see paintings, sculptures, and occasional photography shows that actually feel rooted in the Essex coast rather than parachuted in from somewhere else. The gallery has that friendly, slightly worn-in feel of a community space rather than a slick metropolitan operation, which some will find appealing and others won't.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Valley Farm is barely over a mile away, or Highfield Grange just slightly further - this works as a rainy-day option or a cultural pit stop between beach time and fish and chips. Families with older kids who can stomach an hour indoors will be fine; toddlers will get restless quickly. Art enthusiasts shouldn't expect anything that'll blow their mind, but it's worth a look if you're in the area and the weather's turned grim.

Check opening hours before you go - they're not always obvious online - and don't assume you'll need to pay admission, though a small donation is usually welcomed. It's the sort of place that rewards a brief visit without demanding much of your time.