Horse

The Horse gallery sits just outside Brighton, and it's one of those places that stops you mid-stride. The work here pulls you in - contemporary pieces that actually have something to say, without the po-faced pretension you get at some venues. It's a proper working gallery, not some sterile white cube, and the staff know their stuff.

You'll spend anywhere from forty minutes to two hours depending on what's on. The shows rotate, so there's a reason to come back. Families with older kids will find it engaging, though younger ones might lose interest quickly - it's not an interactive playground. Art lovers, obviously, will make a beeline for it. Anyone based near Brighton heading to the coast should factor this in.

Parking is straightforward, and it's the kind of gallery that feels like an actual community space rather than somewhere tourists are funnelled through. The fact it's five miles from Blackberry Wood means you could easily tuck a gallery visit into a longer park holiday without it feeling tacked-on.

Check ahead for opening hours and whether there's an entrance fee - these things vary. Worth the detour if you're staying in the area, but don't drive across Sussex specifically for it. Go when you're already nearby, grab a coffee after, and let whatever's on shift your thinking a bit. That's when galleries work best.