St Johns Hall Gallery

A converted Victorian hall in Barmouth housing contemporary art and craft exhibitions - this is a working gallery space that punches above its weight for a town of this size. The building itself has character, all high ceilings and original features, though you'll want to ring ahead as opening hours can be patchy depending on what's on display.

What you get is a rotating programme of local and regional artists, often featuring Welsh makers alongside touring shows. It's not the V&A, but that's rather the point. The scale feels intimate rather than overwhelming, and the quality of work on display tends to be genuine rather than commercial.

Walkers and couples will find it a worthwhile thirty-minute detour on a rainy afternoon - the sort of place that improves a holiday in Barmouth without demanding half a day of your time. Families with teenagers interested in art might get something from it; younger children will likely be restless. Entry is usually free or a couple of quid, but check ahead.

If you're camping at Hendre Mynach or Graig Wen, St Johns sits just a short walk from the seafront, making it easy to combine with a coastal stroll. It works well as a break between the bigger attractions - Snowdonia's looming in the background, and Barmouth's golden beaches are the real draw. The gallery's more of a bonus than a destination in itself, but a proper bonus if contemporary work appeals to you.