Sandyhill Arts

Contemporary sculpture and ceramics fill this working artists' studio just outside Wareham, where you can watch potters at their wheels and browse pieces that won't break the bank. The gallery spaces feel refreshingly unpretentious - no white walls and hushed tones here, just proper working studios where you can chat to the artists about their techniques.

Families with creative teenagers will get the most from a visit, though younger children might lose interest after twenty minutes unless there's a workshop running. The pottery demonstrations are particularly engaging, and several artists are happy to explain their processes if you time your visit right.

Open daily from 10am to 5pm, which makes it a decent rainy day backup when you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Burnbake Forest Lodges or Haven Rockley Park. Allow about an hour for a proper browse, maybe longer if you're tempted by the ceramics course they sometimes run.

Pricing isn't clear from their website, but most similar galleries either charge a modest entry fee or rely on sales to cover costs. The location near Wareham puts you within easy reach of Corfe Castle and the Purbeck Hills if you're making a day of it, though the arts centre works perfectly well as a standalone cultural stop during a Dorset holiday.