The Garden House

Art galleries in Norfolk aren't thick on the ground, so when you stumble across The Garden House near Cromer, it's worth knowing what you're walking into. This is a working artist's studio and exhibition space rather than a formal museum - the kind of place where you might actually meet the people making the work on display.

What you get depends entirely on what's showing when you visit, as the space operates on a rotating exhibition basis. The setting itself matters more than you'd expect for a gallery this size. Being nestled among gardens (the clue's in the name) gives it a completely different feel from a sterile white cube - there's something about stepping between studio walls and outdoor space that makes contemporary work land differently.

This suits curious types more than casual visitors. If you're the sort who'll spend twenty minutes reading an artist's statement, you'll get something from it. Families with young kids might find it a bit slow unless there's an interactive show on. Most people allow an hour maximum, though serious art people could happily camp out longer with a notebook.

It works perfectly as a rainy-day detour if you're based at one of the caravan parks clustered nearby - The Grove Glamping, Seacroft, or Manor Farm are all within walking distance. Cromer itself, just down the road, has the pier and seafront to keep you occupied either side of a visit.

Bring cash if you plan to buy anything. Ring ahead or check their socials to confirm opening hours and what's on - this isn't the kind of place with a permanent collection.