Ku

Ku sits just outside Ventnor, a contemporary art gallery that punches well above its weight for a seaside town. The space itself is the draw - converted industrial building with proper good light and the kind of raw edges you either love or find a bit austere. They rotate exhibitions, so what's on changes seasonally, which means repeat visits actually make sense rather than feeling like you're retreading old ground.

It's one for people who want something beyond the usual postcard shops and fish-and-chip routines. Art students, photographers, anyone with a bit of cultural restlessness will find it worthwhile. Families with teenagers might enjoy it; younger kids could get fidgety depending on what's showing. Most people allow 45 minutes to two hours, though you can whip round in 30 if the current exhibition doesn't grab you.

Admission details are thin on the ground - best to check their website or ring ahead before the trip. Ventnor itself is walkable, full of independent cafes and coastal charm without feeling too touristy.

If you're staying at Isle of Wight Coastal Park or any of the other spots dotted round this end of the island, Ku fits neatly into a morning or afternoon. Combine it with the seafront walk or a proper potter round the town's independent shops. It's the sort of place that reminds you the island has more going on than donkey rides and ice cream, though those are fine too.