Montague Gallery

Just outside Lancing in Sussex, the Montague Gallery sits quietly away from the usual coastal tourist crush. It's a working artist's space rather than a grand institutional affair - the kind of place where you genuinely feel like you're stepping into someone's creative world rather than filing through another sterile white box.

The gallery focuses on contemporary work, and what you'll find there depends entirely on who's exhibiting when you visit. That's either brilliant or annoying depending on your mood. You might catch painting, sculpture, or mixed media that actually makes you think, or you might find it's closed for a private event. The admission situation isn't clearly signposted online, so ring ahead before making the journey - a five-minute call beats wasted petrol.

It's the sort of place that works well for an hour if you're already in the area, rather than something to build a day around. Artists and anyone who prefers smaller, independent galleries to the big institutional names will get far more from it than casual browsers. Families with restless kids? Probably best saved for when they're older and can actually engage with what's on display.

If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Beach Park or Onslow are both within a few miles - it's absolutely worth a visit on a rainy afternoon or as a gentle break from the beach. Partner it with a walk around Lancing itself and you've got a proper half-day sorted.