The Sussex Gallery

The Sussex Gallery sits in Winchelsea, that rather atmospheric medieval town perched on a hill above the Romney Marsh. It's a proper working gallery - the kind where you'll find local artists actually in the studio, not just their work on the walls. The space feels lived-in, cluttered in the best way, with paintings, prints, and sculptures that change regularly depending on who's exhibiting.

This is very much for art enthusiasts rather than casual browsers. You won't spend hours here - thirty minutes to an hour is about right unless there's an exhibition that really grabs you. The intimacy of the place means it punches above its weight, though. Small galleries often do, precisely because there's no pretension about them.

You'll want to check their website or ring ahead for opening hours and whether there's an admission charge - these details vary wildly depending on what's on. Winchelsea itself is worth a proper mooch around regardless, with its sloping streets and genuine sense of history that most tourist towns have lost.

If you're staying at Winchelsea Sands Holiday Park just down the road, or even Rye Harbour a couple of miles away, the gallery makes a fine rainy afternoon diversion. It's close enough to pop into without eating up half your day, which counts for something when you're juggling a family holiday. The surrounding coastline - Camber Sands is only four miles further - means you could easily tack this onto a seaside day out.