Half Moon Gallery

The Half Moon Gallery sits in St Ives, which tells you something straight away - you're in one of Cornwall's most saturated art towns. Walking in, it's immediately clear this isn't the sort of place trying to do everything. The space is intimate, white-walled, the kind where you notice the gaps between pieces as much as the work itself.

What you'll find depends entirely on when you visit, as it operates on a changing exhibition model. Contemporary art, mostly - painting, sculpture, occasionally photography. Staff know what they're talking about, which makes a refreshing change from galleries that feel like they're just rotating stock. The whole thing takes about thirty to forty minutes to properly look round, unless you're the type who reads every label twice.

This works best for anyone who actually cares about looking at art. If you've got kids hoping for interactive installations or something to climb on, save your time. Serious painters and photographers will find it worthwhile; casual browsers might feel a bit lost.

Since St Ives itself is mad with galleries - you could spend days in them - the Half Moon fits neatly into a proper art-focused trip. Stay at Polmanter Touring Park just over the road and you're well positioned to hit multiple galleries without much driving. Check opening hours before you go though - smaller galleries can be unpredictable with times, and admission fees aren't always clear from the outside.