The Lorax

The Lorax is a small gallery space just outside Brighton that punches above its weight. What you'll find here depends on the season - it's a working exhibition space, so the walls change regularly, but the ethos stays consistent: contemporary art without the pretension or eye-watering price tags of the bigger Brighton institutions.

It's the sort of place that rewards a proper look around rather than a quick phone snap. The space itself has character - not overly polished, which somehow makes the work feel more genuine. You're looking at paintings, sculptures, installations, sometimes video work. The quality is consistently good, though as with any gallery, some shows will speak to you more than others.

Artists and anyone who wants to see what's happening beyond the mainstream gallery circuit will get the most from it. If you're in Brighton with kids hoping for hands-on stuff, give this a miss - it's very much looking rather than doing. But if you're staying at Foot of the Downs nearby and want to potter into town for the day, it's well worth an hour of your time.

Brightness is your friend here - go midweek if you can, when it's quieter and you can actually stand and think without someone breathing down your neck. Check ahead before you go, as opening hours aren't always obvious, but the location makes it easy to slot into a Brighton visit.