Doodles Gallery

Art galleries in seaside towns can be hit or miss, but Doodles Gallery in Ilfracombe is worth a quick detour if you're staying nearby. It's a modest spot showcasing contemporary work and illustration - the kind of place locals actually talk about rather than something bolted on for tourists.

The gallery focuses on drawings, prints, and mixed media pieces from emerging and established artists. You'll spend anywhere from twenty minutes to an hour here depending on how much you linger over individual pieces. It's intimate rather than grand, which suits the North Devon coast just fine.

Families with older kids who don't mind standing still for five minutes will get something out of it. Younger ones might find it a bit sparse for their attention span. Adults who appreciate contemporary illustration and aren't after a major cultural pilgrimage will find it pleasant enough - proper little gallery punch above its weight.

Ilfracombe itself is a working seaside town with beaches, coastal walks, and tacky amusement arcades all within spitting distance. If you're camping at Hele Valley Holiday Park just under a mile away, or one of the other sites scattered around the area, this makes sense as a rainy-day activity or an hour's entertainment between beach visits. Check ahead for opening hours before you go - independent galleries can be temperamental about their schedules. Admission details aren't confirmed, but most small galleries like this are either free or charge a couple of quid.