John G Rowlands

The John G Rowlands gallery sits quietly in Porthmadog, a working art space that doesn't shout about itself. What you find here is contemporary art from emerging and established Welsh artists - paintings, sculpture, installations - the kind of place where the work actually matters more than the Instagram potential.

It's small enough to walk round properly in under an hour, but substantial enough that you won't feel short-changed. The space itself has character without being precious about it. If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Greenacres, Tyddyn Llwyn, or Black Rock Sands are all within a couple of miles - it's worth ducking in if you've got an afternoon to kill or you're genuinely interested in what's being made in Wales right now.

Historically minded visitors and actual art enthusiasts will get more from it than families with restless kids. The gallery tends to programme thoughtfully, so timing matters - check what's on before you go, because the value really depends on the current exhibition. Being in Porthmadog is handy either way; it's got proper cafes and the coastal walk down to Black Rock Sands is excellent when you need air after looking at art. The town itself has enough going on to make it a worthwhile base if you're exploring this stretch of Snowdonia's coast.