The Courtyard Gallery

You'll find this small gallery tucked away in Bridport, a proper creative hub on the Jurassic Coast. The Courtyard Gallery shows work from local and regional artists - paintings, ceramics, prints, the usual mix - and it's the sort of place where you can actually chat to people who know what they're talking about rather than being ignored by bored staff.

It's worth a wander if you're already in town picking up supplies or grabbing lunch, though I wouldn't say it's a reason to make a special trip from further afield. The space itself is intimate without feeling cramped, and the quality of work varies depending on what's on. Some pieces are genuinely good, others... less so. Allow 30-45 minutes, really. It's free to look round, which takes the pressure off.

Families with teenagers into art might find something interesting, but younger kids will get restless quickly. If you're staying at Seadown or Newlands - both minutes away - it's a natural Friday afternoon option when the weather turns damp. Golden Cap Holiday Park and The Dorset Hideaway are a short drive away if you fancy a cultural break between beach days.

Bridport itself is worth half a day anyway. Proper little market town, independent shops, decent cafes. The gallery fits neatly into that rather than standing as a destination in its own right.