Shamrock Quay

The waterfront galleries along Shamrock Quay in Southampton are worth an hour or two if you're staying nearby - which you easily could be at Dibles Park or Mercury Holiday Park, both just over a mile away. This is where the old docks have been given a proper refresh, and instead of cranes and cargo you get local artists, craft studios, and exhibition spaces looking out over the water.

You'll wander between converted warehouse units, each one a working studio or small gallery. Some are commercial galleries shifting serious work, others are artist collectives where you can actually watch people making things. It's the sort of place that works best on a Saturday or Sunday when everyone's open and there's a bit of life about it. On a wet Tuesday in February you might find half the shutters down.

Family groups will get something out of it - kids can often peer into studios and see work in progress - but this isn't a sit-down, structured attraction with a cafe and gift shop. It's more about wandering, stopping if something catches your eye, moving on. The walking is gentle and flat, which suits anyone, though prams might be awkward on some of the older quayside sections.

If you're based at Lepe Beach Campsite or Solent Breezes further out, Shamrock Quay makes a decent afternoon break when you've had enough of the beach. Go in the morning, grab lunch, and you've got a sensible half-day sorted. Just check which galleries are actually open before you head down - it's not like a traditional museum with set hours and guaranteed access.