The Little Yellow Art Shop

You'll find this little gallery tucked away in Ilfracombe, a coastal town that's seen better days but retains proper charm. The Yellow Art Shop is exactly what it says - a small, independent space dedicated to contemporary art and local work. It's not a grand institution, but rather the sort of place where you can actually have a conversation with the gallery owner about what's on the walls.

The space itself is intimate. You're looking at paintings, prints, sculpture and craftwork from emerging and established artists, often with a strong Devon focus. It's the kind of spot where you might discover something genuinely interesting rather than tourist tat. Expect to spend 20 to 45 minutes here, depending on what's showing and how chatty the staff are feeling.

This works best for art enthusiasts or anyone after a cultural breather during a seaside holiday. It won't entertain young children for long, but teenagers with even a passing interest in contemporary work might surprise you. If you're camping nearby - and there's no shortage of sites around here, from Hele Valley just under a mile away to Golden Coast further out - it's worth a detour on a rainy afternoon. Ilfracombe itself has the coastal path walks and a decent enough seafront, so you can combine gallery time with proper outdoor stuff. The admission cost and opening hours aren't straightforward to pin down, so ring ahead or check when you arrive in town.