Lion House Gallery

The Lion House Gallery sits in Bury Saint Edmunds and pulls in art lovers who've got an afternoon to kill and want something proper without the pretension of a major museum. It's a working gallery space - the kind where you can actually buy what's on the walls rather than just admire behind velvet ropes.

What you get is contemporary work from local and regional artists, rotating exhibitions that keep things fresh, and usually something worth stopping for if you're into painting, sculpture, or photography. The space itself has character - it feels lived-in rather than sterile, which means you'll either find that refreshingly honest or a bit rough around the edges depending on your taste.

This isn't a full-day affair. Budget an hour, maybe ninety minutes if you're genuinely keen on art. It works well as a half-day activity when you're based at one of the nearby holiday parks - Apple Mount Retreat is barely two miles away, making it an easy pop into town. Lake View Lodges and Cranfield Retreat are also close enough that Bury Saint Edmunds becomes a natural day out from your accommodation.

The gallery sits within easy reach of the town's other attractions - the Abbey Gardens, the Cathedral - so you can string together a proper morning or afternoon without much faffing about. Free to browse, though they do appreciate it if you buy something. Go midweek if you want quiet, weekends for more footfall and possible artist talks.