Stephen Lees - Gallery on the Cobbles

The cobbled streets of Brockenhurst hold a proper gem in Stephen Lees' gallery - a working artist's space where you can actually watch someone create rather than just stare at finished work behind glass. The intimate setting means you're never far from the artist himself, and there's something refreshing about that directness. You'll find contemporary work that reflects the Isle of Wight's coastal character, though the appeal extends well beyond landscape art.

This is ideal for anyone with a genuine interest in contemporary craft. If you're the type who enjoys chatting to makers about their process, you'll get hours out of a visit. Families with young children might find it a bit too quiet and contemplative - there's no interactive element here, just art and conversation. Art students and serious collectors will appreciate the opportunity to see pieces in a proper working context rather than through a commercial gallery filter.

The gallery sits comfortably within a day spent exploring Brockenhurst itself, a village worth wandering around on foot. Several of the nearby holiday parks - Lytton Lawn and Shorefield Country Park among them - put you within easy driving distance, making this a sensible cultural stop if you're based at one of those spots for the week. Check ahead for opening times before you visit, as smaller galleries can keep irregular hours. Allow an hour if you want to actually engage with the work and perhaps the artist. It's not a major attraction, but then that's rather the point.