Whistlefish Art Gallery - St. Ives

The gallery sits in St. Ives proper, that chaotic tangle of narrow streets where art dealers and fish-and-chip shops compete for space. Whistlefish is a contemporary setup - contemporary in the sense that it doesn't fuss with dusty portraits or oil paintings of long-dead squires. Instead, you get modern work from emerging artists, sometimes good, sometimes forgettable, but always worth a quick look if you're already wandering the town.

It's the kind of place you stumble into between a cream tea and the beach, rather than a destination in itself. Spend fifteen minutes here, maybe thirty if something catches your eye. There's no charge for admission, which helps - you can pop in without commitment. The space is compact, so it won't eat into your afternoon.

For families with older kids, it's fine. Younger ones will likely lose interest within minutes. Art types and anyone serious about contemporary work should check what's on before visiting - the programme changes regularly, and you might hit a run of installations that absolutely grip you, or ones that leave you cold. That's the gamble with independent galleries.

If you're based at Polmanter Touring Park or any of the caravan parks within a couple of miles, St. Ives itself is worth half a day of wandering. The beach is the real draw here. Whistlefish is a pleasant addition - something to tuck into a broader wander round town, not a reason to visit on its own.