Quay Art

The gallery sits right on Padstow's waterfront, which immediately tells you something about the place - it's not hidden away in some back street, but positioned where locals and visitors actually walk. Quay Art trades on its location, and fair enough, because the setting matters when you're looking at contemporary work.

Inside, you'll find rotating exhibitions of painting, sculpture, and mixed media. The space itself is intimate rather than sprawling, which works well - you can take it in properly without feeling like you're trudging through an endless white-walled maze. Work tends toward the contemporary end of things, and the gallery clearly takes risks with what it shows, which either thrills you or leaves you cold depending on your taste.

It's the sort of place that appeals to anyone interested in seeing what's happening in Cornish art right now, rather than tourists after another coastal gift shop. Allow 45 minutes to an hour unless something really grabs you. If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Padstow Holiday Village or Porthilly Beach Holiday Park are both within walking distance - it's worth popping in on your way to the harbour for fish and chips.

You'll need to check current opening hours when you visit, as independent galleries often shift their schedule with the season. Entry fees and specific exhibition details aren't fixed either, so a quick call or website check beforehand saves disappointment.