Cider Press Gallery

A converted cider press building in South Brent sounds like the sort of place you'd stumble upon and think, 'Well, that's proper Devon.' The Cider Press Gallery occupies what was genuinely an old pressing house - the sort of industrial heritage that makes the South West so visually interesting - and uses the space to show contemporary art and craft work. It's small, intimate, and the kind of spot where you'll spend twenty minutes or an hour depending on what's on and how much you want to chat to whoever's running it.

The appeal here is straightforward: if you're into local makers, textiles, painting, or sculpture, it's worth the detour from South Brent. Less compelling if you're after blockbuster exhibitions or fancy cafe culture. There's something refreshing about galleries this size - no queues, no shoulder-barging through crowds, no sense you're ticking a box.

Parked up at any of the nearby sites - Whitehill Country Park and Brownscombe Glamping are closest at around five miles - this works well as a morning activity before heading onto Dartmoor itself. Pair it with a walk from South Brent towards Ivybridge and you've got a gentle half-day sorted. The space itself tells you something about how Devonians have made a living for centuries, which beats another look at a stately home gift shop.