Crab Claw

The Crab Claw in Newcastle is an art gallery that punches above its weight for a small County Down town. It's a working studio and exhibition space where you can actually watch artists at it - that rare thing where the creative process isn't hidden behind a shop window. The space shows contemporary work from local and regional makers, with pieces rotating regularly, so there's a genuine reason to pop back if you're camping nearby.

It's the sort of place that appeals to anyone with even a passing interest in art. Not a grand museum experience - far from it - but proper intimate and usually quiet enough to actually hear your own thoughts. Families with older kids who won't have a meltdown in a gallery will find it worth twenty minutes, though younger ones might get restless. The real crowd is walkers and artists themselves.

The gallery sits handily in Newcastle, which is basically your gateway to the Mourne Mountains. If you're staying at one of the caravan parks dotted along the coast - Woodcroft is practically on the doorstep at under a mile away - it's a decent wet-weather option or a Friday evening browse before supper. Tollymore Forest Park is just two miles up the road if you need a proper walk to burn off energy afterwards.

Opening hours and admission prices aren't widely advertised online, so your best bet is to ring ahead or check their social media. Worth it though, especially if you're after something a bit different from the usual coastal park routine.