SeventhWaveGallery

The gallery sits in Bude's creative quarter, a proper working space where you can actually watch artists at their benches rather than just gawk at finished pieces behind glass. SeventhWave focuses on contemporary craft and local work - ceramics, printmaking, textiles, jewellery - the sort of stuff that makes you stop and think about the skill involved.

What strikes you immediately is how unpretentious it all feels. No velvet ropes or hushed tones. You can ask the makers questions, find out why they chose that particular glaze or technique. It's the kind of place where thirty minutes turns into an hour without you noticing.

For creative types and anyone serious about craftsmanship, this is worth an afternoon. Families with older kids will get something out of it too, especially if they're into making things themselves. Little ones might fidget after twenty minutes though.

Bude's a brilliant base for a coastal break, and SeventhWave fits nicely into a day that includes the beaches and coastal walks. If you're staying at Wooda Farm - which is genuinely excellent - the gallery is an easy ten-minute drive down the road. Atlantic Surf Pods is closer but a bit hit-and-miss depending on your luck with the pods. Either way, if you're after more than just sand and chips, SeventhWave's worth slotting into your itinerary.