Maurice Bishop

The Maurice Bishop gallery sits in Lynton, a Victorian resort town clinging to the North Devon coast. Inside you'll find watercolours, oils and prints - mostly landscapes from the Southwest, the kind of thing that catches your eye in a seaside gallery but doesn't demand hours of your time. Bishop himself was a local artist, and the collection reflects his eye for the area's moors and coastline. It's compact enough to work as a half-hour stop rather than a destination in itself, which makes it useful if you're already in Lynton browsing the high street or waiting out a drizzly afternoon. The staff tend to be knowledgeable without being pushy, and there's usually something on the walls that resonates - I found myself lingering over a few moorland pieces longer than expected. Worth knowing: opening hours and admission charges aren't widely advertised online, so call ahead or ask at your accommodation. If you're staying at Lynmouth Holiday Retreat just down the valley, it's an easy walk up into town anyway. The gallery works well as part of a broader wander through Lynton's galleries and cafes rather than a standalone trip, but if you're interested in regional artists or looking for a quiet space away from the seafront crowds, it's worth the effort.