We Could Have Been Anything That We Wanted To Be

Ruth Ewan's installation in Folkestone stops you dead. It's a work about potential, about the lives we might have lived, and it hits differently depending on who you are when you walk in. The piece uses found objects and personal histories to ask what might have been - not in a maudlin way, but with genuine curiosity about paths not taken.

You'll need to visit Creative Folkestone's website to confirm current opening hours and admission fees, as these aren't fixed. The gallery sits in Folkestone itself, so it's easily reached from any of the nearby caravan sites - Varne Ridge Holiday Park is only three miles away, making it a decent afternoon outing if you're staying in the area.

Historically minded visitors will find more to chew on here than families with young kids. This isn't a quick snap-and-move-on type of installation; it rewards proper attention. Allow at least thirty minutes, longer if you're the type to read everything and sit with the ideas. It's the kind of work that can feel a bit heavy-going if you're after pure entertainment, but if you're interested in contemporary art that actually says something, it's worth the trip into town.

Pair it with a walk along Folkestone's seafront or a proper dig through the town's other galleries and you've got a solid cultural afternoon. It's not a major draw on its own, but combined with a park holiday nearby, it breaks up the routine nicely.