TBOY Studios

TBOY Studios sits just outside Chichester, a working gallery space where contemporary art actually happens rather than just gets hung on walls. You'll find working artists in the studios, which means you can watch people creating rather than simply viewing finished pieces - that matters more than you'd think.

The setup is refreshingly unpretentious. It's the sort of place where you can ask questions without feeling like you're holding up the queue, and the artists themselves often chat through what they're doing. Photography, painting, sculpture, digital work - the medium shifts depending on who's in residence. Some days it clicks immediately, other days it won't be your thing. That's fine. Real working studios feel that way.

This works best for anyone who actually cares about how art gets made rather than just ticking off gallery visits. If your kids are the type who ask questions, they'll find it interesting; if they just want to run around, perhaps give it a miss. Adults who paint or make things themselves tend to get the most from it.

Chichester itself is walkable and decent for a stop-off - good cafes, the Cathedral if you're into that sort of thing. If you're based at Chichester Lakeside Holiday Park or one of the Bognor Regis sites nearby, TBOY Studios is a worthwhile half-day activity without overstaying. Ring ahead first though - opening times and admission aren't crystal clear, and you'll want to know if there's work actually happening when you visit.