The Serena Hall Gallery

The Serena Hall Gallery sits just outside Southwold, a proper showcase for contemporary art in the heart of Suffolk's coast. It's the kind of place that rewards a quiet morning - rooms lined with paintings and sculptures that actually make you stop and think rather than shuffle through on autopilot.

This is gallery-going for people who like their art without the pretension. The space itself feels intimate, which means it doesn't take hours to see everything. You're looking at maybe 90 minutes if you're thorough, less if you're just browsing. The focus tends to be on emerging and established British artists, so there's real variety in what you'll encounter each visit.

It works brilliantly if you're camped at Pigs in Blankets or any of the sites dotted around this stretch - Cliff House is only a few miles south, and Henstead Fields even closer. Pop in on a morning when the light's good, then head into Southwold proper for lunch. The gallery doesn't demand a full day commitment, which is handy when you've got kids restless for the beach or a walk.

Best to check ahead for current exhibitions and opening hours before you plan a trip. Southwold's close enough that combining this with the pier, the lighthouse, or a proper fish and chips run makes for a well-rounded couple of hours inland.