The Exchange

The Exchange sits in Newlyn, that proper working fishing village where the light hits the water just right and you can smell salt and diesel in equal measure. It's a contemporary art gallery, the sort of place that takes itself seriously without being pretentious about it. The building itself - converted from something industrial - has that stripped-back aesthetic you either love or find a bit cold, depending on your mood.

What you're getting is rotating exhibitions of contemporary work, usually with a strong connection to Cornwall's artistic community. Expect painting, sculpture, installation pieces. It's not vast - you can work through it in 45 minutes to an hour without rushing, longer if the work grabs you. The real draw is that it genuinely reflects what's happening in the region's art scene rather than serving up safe, tourist-friendly fare.

It works best for people who actually engage with contemporary art rather than those looking for a rainy-day tick-box activity. Teenagers interested in visual culture will get something from it; young children will probably find it underwhelming. Free admission is likely but worth confirming before you go - details aren't readily available.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Foxglove Field Glamping or Polmanter Touring Park are both close - it's a decent morning visit before heading into St. Ives or grabbing lunch at one of Newlyn's working harbourside restaurants. Don't make it the centrepiece of your trip, but if you're in the area and contemporary art doesn't bore you, it's absolutely worth an hour of your time.