The Little Art Gallery

The Little Art Gallery sits quietly near Chichester, the sort of place you might stumble upon while wandering the backstreets rather than rush to find. It's a modest space, the kind of venue that takes its work seriously without the pretension of larger institutions. Local and emerging artists get wall space here, which means the collection shifts regularly - you won't see the same exhibition twice if you visit a few months apart.

What you get depends entirely on what's showing when you visit. Sometimes it's contemporary painting and sculpture, sometimes photography or mixed media. The gallery doesn't try to be everything to everyone, and that's rather refreshing. It's the sort of place where you might actually chat to the artist or a knowledgeable staff member rather than shuffle past glossy labels.

This works well if you're camping at Stubcroft Farm or Fishery Creek Touring Park nearby - a couple of miles away - and want a rainy afternoon activity that doesn't demand hours of commitment. Plan for 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how much the current show grabs you. It's not a day-long destination, but paired with a walk around Chichester's cathedral and a decent lunch, it rounds out a morning properly.

Small galleries like this thrive on modest footfall, so avoid peak school holidays when tour groups might overrun the space. Best tackled mid-week if you can manage it. Worth checking ahead on opening times and admission costs before you drive over - independent galleries can have quirky schedules.