Lucy Bell Gallery

Saint Leonards-on-Sea doesn't exactly scream 'art destination', but the Lucy Bell Gallery is a proper find if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Combe Haven, Beaulieu Farm, or Crowhurst - and fancy a break from the usual caravan routine.

It's a contemporary gallery space showcasing work by Lucy Bell herself, alongside rotating exhibitions. The kind of place where you'll spend 45 minutes maximum, which suits most people fine. Gallery walls, decent natural light, the sort of setup that feels genuine rather than overly polished.

Historically minded visitors and anyone with a soft spot for contemporary art will get more from it than families with restless kids, if we're being honest. That said, it's free admission - or at least it should be, though you'd want to ring ahead to confirm opening times and current shows before making the trip. The gallery's tucked away from the seafront bustle, so it serves as a good quiet hour if the weather turns grim and you're stuck on holiday.

Worth a detour if you're already in Saint Leonards picking up fish and chips or browsing the antique shops along the promenade. Don't plan your whole day around it, but if you're within spitting distance and the door's open, step in. It breaks up a park holiday nicely without any fuss.