The Brownston Gallery

Finding decent contemporary art in Devon isn't always straightforward, but the Brownston Gallery near Plymouth proves there's proper creative work happening outside London. It's a working studio and gallery space where you can actually watch artists in action rather than just gawp at finished pieces behind velvet ropes.

The space itself is intimate - nothing like those cavernous white-cube galleries that make you feel you're doing something wrong by breathing too loudly. Work ranges from painting and sculpture to mixed media installations, usually with a strong regional focus. The quality varies between exhibitions, but when it's good, it's genuinely worth the drive from Plymouth.

Realistic time allocation? Two hours maximum, and that's if you're genuinely interested in art. First-time visitors tend to spend forty minutes here. It's not a half-day destination in itself, but couples and creative types will get more from it than families with young kids in tow.

If you're camped at Hidden Hill Devon's glamping site or South Devon Camping at Lower Terawhiti Farm, this makes a sensible rainy-day detour rather than a headline attraction. Pair it with a walk in the surrounding countryside or a proper lunch in Plymouth itself and you've got a decent morning sorted.

Worth visiting if you're in the area and exhibitions look interesting on their website. Less worth making a special trip for unless contemporary art genuinely floats your boat.