Gallery Black

Gallery Black sits in Burnham-on-Sea, a quiet Somerset coastal town that doesn't get the same footfall as Weston-super-Mare further down the coast. It's a contemporary art space, which immediately tells you this isn't your grandma's seaside gallery full of watercolours of the pier.

The gallery focuses on modern and contemporary work - think emerging artists, installations, and pieces that make you think rather than simply decorate your sitting room. The space itself is intimate rather than sprawling, so you won't need hours here. Most visits clock in at 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how long you linger over each piece.

This works best for anyone who actually engages with art rather than ticks boxes. Art students, creative types, couples looking for something different - they'll get something from it. Kids might find it worth 20 minutes max unless they're the type who genuinely enjoys thinking about what art means.

If you're staying at Channel View, Diamond Farm, or any of the caravan parks clustered around Burnham and Brean, Gallery Black makes a pleasant rainy-day detour or a half-hour break between beach time and lunch. It's free or low-cost admission - though I'd check ahead for current opening times, as smaller galleries can be temperamental about their schedules.

Honestly? It's worth knowing about if you're in the area, but don't plan a trip to Burnham solely for this. Pair it with the beach, fish and chips, and perhaps the theme park at Brean if you've got kids.