The Lighthouse Gallery Eastbourne

The Lighthouse Gallery sits right on Eastbourne's seafront, housed in a converted lighthouse keeper's cottage with actual lighthouse heritage. Inside you'll find rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, photography and local work - nothing too experimental or challenging, mostly the sort of stuff that appeals to seaside visitors who want to spend an hour out of the wind.

It's intimate rather than grand. The space is small, which means you can properly see what's on without that gallery fatigue that hits after twenty minutes of pretending to understand abstract installations. Staff are generally knowledgeable and won't pounce on you the moment you walk in.

Really works well if you're staying at Pevensey Bay Holiday Park or Warren Wood Country Park nearby and need a proper indoor activity on a grey afternoon. Kids might get restless unless there's something interactive on, though the lighthouse building itself generates enough curiosity to keep them entertained for a bit. Worth combining with a walk along the seafront or a chip supper at one of the nearby cafes.

Admission is free, which removes any pressure to linger if an exhibition doesn't grab you. Allow 45 minutes to an hour depending on what's up. Summer sees the best shows generally, though winter exhibits can be stronger because fewer casual browsers mean better curation. Check ahead before you go - opening times can be erratic, particularly out of season.