Taylor Jones & Son

Taylor Jones & Son is a proper art gallery tucked away in Deal, the kind of place you stumble upon while wandering the high street rather than plan a pilgrimage to. It's free to walk in, which means no excuses for skipping it if you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Kingsdown Camping or Ham Hideaway Glamping.

The gallery showcases contemporary work alongside more traditional pieces - the sort of space where local artists get a genuine platform rather than being squeezed into a tourist trap. You'll spend anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour here depending on whether you're the type to read every label or just absorb the atmosphere. The setting itself is intimate without feeling claustrophobic, and the staff actually seem to know what they're talking about.

It works best for anyone with a genuine interest in visual art rather than families with restless toddlers. If you're staying in the area for a caravan holiday at Sandwich Leisure Holiday Park or Hawthorn Farm, this fills a gap on a rainy afternoon far better than another tea shop. Deal itself is worth an hour's poke around - the seafront is decent enough, and the high street has that lived-in quality that's becoming rarer on the Kent coast.

Best to check their website for opening hours before you go, as these smaller galleries can be a bit variable. Free entry makes it a no-risk addition to your day though.