Katherine Richards Art Gallery

The Katherine Richards Art Gallery sits quietly in Sussex, a short drive from Brighton's seafront chaos. It's the kind of place you'll walk past if you're not looking for it - which is precisely why it rewards those who do.

Inside, the work focuses on contemporary and figurative pieces, with Richards' own output forming the core of what you'll see. The gallery operates on a small, intimate scale - you're not queuing round the block or fighting crowds to catch sight of installations. The spaces feel personal rather than institutional, which means you can actually spend time with individual pieces without feeling rushed.

This isn't a full afternoon commitment. Most visitors spend 45 minutes to an hour here, longer if you're genuinely into figurative contemporary work. It works well as a quiet diversion between other Sussex activities - pair it with a walk into Brighton proper or a trip out to Downsview Park, which sits just up the road and offers proper grounds if you've got restless kids in tow.

The gallery suits art enthusiasts and anyone after a break from the standard tourist trail. It's free to visit, which helps, though opening hours can be patchy so check ahead before heading out. Real value if you're staying in the area and want to see what the local art scene actually looks like rather than what's been sanitised for holiday brochures.