Padstow Gallery

You'll find Padstow Gallery tucked into the heart of Padstow, that busy harbour town where the seafood restaurants and fish merchants have always been the main draw. The gallery itself is a proper local spot - the kind of place where you stumble in while walking back from the quays and end up spending longer than expected browsing local art and craftwork.

It's worth a look if you're into contemporary work from Cornish artists. The space has that intimate feel of an independent gallery rather than something corporate, and the rotation of exhibitions means there's usually something fresh on if you're returning to the area. Stock up on cards, prints, and the occasional decent piece if you've got wall space to fill.

You won't need more than an hour here unless you're seriously into art, and it works well as a quick stop between lunch and the beach. It's the sort of thing that slots nicely into a rainy afternoon if you're camped at Dennis Cove Campsite or Padstow Holiday Village - both within walking distance. If galleries aren't your thing, honestly, don't force it. The real reason to be in Padstow is the coast itself, the restaurants, and getting out on the water. The gallery's a bonus for a quiet hour, not a reason to base your holiday here.