Salon

Art galleries tucked away in coastal Kent towns don't always announce themselves loudly, and Salon near Birchington is exactly that sort of place. It's a contemporary art space that takes itself seriously without the stuffiness you'd find in bigger city galleries. The work on display rotates regularly, so there's proper incentive to come back if you're staying locally.

You'll find everything from painting and sculpture to installations and mixed media - the kind of stuff that makes you either nod thoughtfully or walk straight past, depending on your taste. It's not enormous, so you won't need more than an hour unless you're genuinely absorbed. Real bonus if you time a visit around an opening or artist talk, though you'll need to check ahead for those.

Families with teenagers interested in contemporary art will get something out of it. Younger kids will probably get bored quickly. If you're staying at Birchington Vale Holiday Park just down the road, it's worth a lazy afternoon visit if the weather's poor - which, let's be honest, isn't unlikely in Kent.

The Birchington area itself is fairly low-key coastal territory - think fish and chips rather than festivals. Salon fits that bill nicely: genuine, unpretentious, and not trying to be anywhere else. Admission details and current hours worth checking directly before you visit, mind.