Stephen Beech Fine Art

Art galleries tucked away in seaside towns don't always deliver, but Stephen Beech Fine Art in Birchington is the sort of place that makes you glad you wandered down a quiet street. The work on display spans contemporary painting and sculpture, and Beech's own pieces tend toward bold colour and confident brushwork - nothing precious or self-conscious about it.

You're looking at maybe 45 minutes to an hour here, longer if you want to chat with the artist himself, who's often about. It's a proper working studio rather than a sterile white-box gallery, which means it feels lived-in and unpretentious. That said, it's small, so don't expect to get lost for half a day.

This suits art enthusiasts and anyone wanting something quieter than Birchington's seafront attractions. Families with kids might find it a bit of a squeeze, and younger children would probably get bored quickly. The gallery is free to browse, though naturally the pieces are for sale.

If you're staying at Dog & Duck Leisure Park, you're only 5.5 miles away - close enough for a pleasant morning run before heading to the beach. Pair it with a coffee at Birchington's high street cafes, and you've got a low-key cultural morning sorted. It won't blow your mind, but it's genuine and unpretentious, which counts for a lot.