The Little Lighthouse

The Little Lighthouse in Hythe is a proper gem if you're after something different from the usual seaside fare. It's a working gallery space housed in what was once an actual lighthouse - the kind of place that makes you wonder how on earth it ended up inland, though that's very much the Kent coast for you: things aren't always where you'd expect them.

Inside, you'll find rotating exhibitions of contemporary art and craft work, often with a strong local flavour. The space itself is the real draw - narrow, quirky, with that peculiar light you only get in converted buildings. It's the sort of venue that appeals to art-minded types and anyone who appreciates independent spaces over corporate galleries. You won't spend hours here; most people move through in thirty minutes or so, but that's the point - it's intimate rather than exhausting.

No word on admission fees from what I can gather, so ring ahead to check. The gallery's small enough that it works best on a quiet weekday; weekends can get a bit cramped. If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Port Lympne Safari is closest at under two miles - this makes a decent rainy afternoon stop. Pair it with a walk along Hythe seafront or a proper tea, and you've got yourself a low-key half-day sorted. Not a blockbuster attraction, but then again, that's often when places feel most worth your time.