Sloth Studios

Art galleries in seaside towns can feel like afterthoughts - somewhere to duck into if it rains. Sloth Studios, just outside Newquay, is different. It's a working studio and gallery space where you can actually watch artists create, which changes the whole dynamic. The name gives it away: there's a deliberately slower pace here, the kind of place where you're encouraged to linger rather than tick boxes.

What you're looking at depends on when you visit, but expect contemporary work with a distinctly Cornish sensibility - local artists, often working in mixed media, sometimes with that salt-air, sea-light quality that the coast seems to pull out of everyone. The studio setup means there's usually someone around to chat to about the work, which beats standing alone in front of a canvas in some anonymous white cube in the city.

This works best for adults who actually want to engage with art, or teenagers with genuine interest rather than reluctant kids in tow. An hour is plenty, though you might find yourself staying longer if you get talking. It's free or donation-based - we'd check ahead on that one, though.

Staying at Sunhaven Holiday Park, barely half a mile away, gives you an easy stroll into Newquay's restaurants and beaches, then a quiet retreat to the studio when you want something more thoughtful. The galleries won't make or break your holiday, but they're worth the detour if you're spending time in the area.