Monks Withecombe Gallery

The Monks Withecombe Gallery sits quietly on the Devon countryside just outside Exeter, and it's the sort of place that rewards a casual detour if you're touring the area. You'll find contemporary art and craft work displayed across intimate rooms - nothing vast or overwhelming, which is rather the point. The space has that unhurried feel of a proper independent gallery where the work actually means something to the people running it.

It's worth an hour of your time if you appreciate visual art, sculpture, or fine craftwork. Families with older children won't find it tedious, though under-tens might lose interest quickly - it's not the sort of gallery with interactive installations. The real draw is the quality of what's on show and the chance to see work from regional artists who actually know their craft.

If you're staying at Woodland Springs Touring Park just down the road, or making a longer base at Barley Meadow, this fits neatly into a morning's wandering before lunch in Exeter proper. The surrounding countryside is pleasant for a walk beforehand, which makes it feel less like checking off a cultural box and more like stumbling upon something genuine.

Do check ahead on opening hours and any admission charges - gallery schedules can be variable, particularly outside school holidays. It's the kind of spot that repays ringing ahead rather than turning up hopeful.