eight squared gallery Folkestone

Eight Squared Gallery sits in Folkestone's creative quarter, and it's the sort of place that rewards a wander if you're into contemporary art. The space itself is modest - you're not talking about a sprawling institution here - but what's on the walls changes regularly and tends toward the thoughtful rather than the obvious. Local artists get a proper platform, which means you'll often find work that speaks to the Kent coast rather than whatever's doing the rounds in London galleries right now.

You'll want to allow an hour, maybe ninety minutes if something really grabs you. It's not a place where you'll feel rushed, and the staff actually know the artists, which makes all the difference. Families with older kids and art students will get more from it than those just after a quick cultural tick-box. The admission situation and opening hours aren't always clearly posted online - worth ringing ahead or checking their social media before you visit.

If you're staying at Varne Ridge Holiday Park just up the road, Eight Squared makes a cracking wet-weather option or a Sunday morning habit. Pair it with a proper walk along the seafront or a look round the Creative Quarter's other studios and cafes. Greenhill Glamping and the other sites nearby all put you within ten minutes of the gallery, so it's easy to slot in without disrupting whatever else you've planned. Folkestone's had a genuine creative revival over the past decade, and Eight Squared is part of why that matters.