Figurhead

The Figurehead gallery sits in Sheerness, a town that's seen better days but is quietly worth a second look. It's a small gallery devoted to maritime art and sculpture - think ship figureheads, nautical paintings, bits of naval history rendered in wood and canvas. If you've got a soft spot for the sea or you're the type who stops to read plaques in maritime museums, you'll find a few hours well spent here.

What makes it work is the specificity. Rather than trying to be all things to all visitors, the Figurehead commits to its subject matter. You're looking at actual carved wooden figureheads - some genuinely striking, others oddly crude - alongside related artwork. It's the kind of place where you either click with it immediately or you don't. History types and anyone with a nautical hobby will get more from it than casual browsers.

The downside? There's limited information available online, so you'll want to ring ahead or check opening hours before making the trip from wherever you're staying. Sheerness Holiday Park is practically on the doorstep if you're based there, though it's also worth combining with a walk along the seafront or a visit to the town itself. The gallery works best as part of a broader afternoon rather than a destination in its own right. Allow an hour, maybe ninety minutes if you're genuinely engaged.