Marianclarkeartist

Marian Clarke's studio and gallery sits within striking distance of Deal, that characterful coastal town with its pebble beach and proper fish and chips. The artist works primarily in contemporary painting and drawing, and her space functions both as an active studio and exhibition area - so you're not just looking at work hung on walls, you're getting a sense of how it actually gets made.

Visitors get what amounts to a fairly intimate encounter here. This isn't a sprawling museum or a polished commercial gallery with staff hovering about. It's more direct than that. The work tends towards the figurative with an experimental edge, and Clarke's approach rewards close looking rather than a quick stroll through.

It's best suited to anyone genuinely interested in contemporary visual art rather than casual browsers killing time on a rainy afternoon. Allow an hour or so, though you could spend longer if you want to chat with the artist herself about the work - that's part of the appeal.

Practically speaking, I'd ring ahead or check online before you go. Opening hours and admission details aren't widely publicised, and you'll want to confirm she's there rather than arriving to find the door locked.

For a holiday based around Sandwich Leisure or any of the caravan parks dotted around Sandwich and the marshes, this makes a worthwhile cultural break from beach and village walks. Deal's close enough that you could combine it with lunch and a wander along the seafront.