Cornwall Galleries

The art scene in Newquay punches harder than you'd expect for a seaside town best known for its beaches and surf shops. Cornwall Galleries sits right here in town and gives you a proper look at what's happening in contemporary and local art without the pretension of bigger city spaces. The collection rotates regularly, so it's not the kind of place where you see the same paintings year after year. Work tends to focus on Cornish artists and regional talent - landscape pieces, abstracts, photography, the lot.

It's the sort of stop that works brilliantly if you're already in Newquay for a few days. Not something to plan a trip around entirely, but absolutely worth an hour while the rain's coming in or after you've had enough of the beach. Families with teenagers interested in art will get something out of it; younger kids might lose interest quickly unless there's something interactive on. Serious art types should definitely check what's showing before visiting.

Newquay itself is barely five minutes away, so you could easily fit this around time at nearby parks like Sunhaven, which is just half a mile off. The town has plenty of cafes and restaurants within walking distance, making it a decent rainy-day solution when the Atlantic weather rolls in. Just check their opening hours and current exhibitions online before you head over - details change seasonally.