Gilded Elm

The Gilded Elm is a contemporary art gallery just outside Brighton, showcasing work that takes itself seriously without the stuffiness you'd dread. It's the sort of place where you might stumble across something genuinely arresting - installations, paintings, sculpture - depending on what's on when you visit. The space itself feels intentional, curated with real thought rather than simply hung on white walls for the sake of it.

You'll want to allow a solid hour here, possibly longer if the current exhibition grabs you. It works best for art types and anyone after a cultural break during a Sussex holiday - the kind of visit that stops you scrolling your phone for twenty minutes straight. Not the sort of place to drag reluctant teenagers to, frankly.

Nearest town is Brighton, so you're well-positioned if you're based at any of the caravan parks within a few miles - Foot of the Downs or Blackberry Wood make decent staging posts for exploring this corner of the South East. The gallery sits comfortably within an afternoon's itinerary that could easily include a wander around the Downs themselves.

Admission details aren't entirely clear from the website, so do check ahead before you go. Worth ringing to confirm opening hours too, as smaller contemporary galleries can keep irregular schedules. If you're serious about art and you're in the area, it's worth the detour.