Panorama

The gallery sits just outside Exeter, a converted space where contemporary art gets proper attention without the stuffiness you'd find in a major city institution. Inside, rotating exhibitions showcase work from emerging and established artists - painting, sculpture, installation, the lot. It's the kind of place where you might spend forty minutes or two hours depending on what's on and how deep you want to go.

For art-minded visitors staying at Castle Brake or Cofton Holidays, it makes a cracking half-day detour when the weather turns grey. Families with teenagers who aren't allergic to galleries will likely find something worth discussing. Younger kids might get restless unless there's a particularly interactive show running. It's worth checking their current exhibition before you go - that'll make or break whether it's worth the drive from Dawlish Sands.

The real value here is as a circuit breaker during a park-based holiday. You get proper art exposure without queuing for three hours like you would in Bristol or London, and Exeter itself is close enough for a casual visit. There's a decent cafe on-site which helps if you want to make an afternoon of it. Free admission isn't guaranteed - some exhibitions charge a few quid, others don't - so factor that into your planning. Go on a weekday morning if you can; weekends pull in the locals and it loses some of its peaceful feel.