Picture House Gallery

The Picture House Gallery sits right in Padstow's heart, and it's the sort of place you'll stumble past a dozen times before actually going in. Once you do, you'll find yourself in a proper working artist's space - all original paintings, prints, and the occasional sculpture crammed into rooms that feel more like someone's living room than a commercial gallery.

It's genuinely local stuff. You're looking at work by Cornish artists, many of whom have studios nearby, and there's usually someone around who can actually talk you through what you're looking at. No pretension, no £50 entry fee, just art that's meant to be seen by people who wander in off the street.

For families on a Padstow holiday - staying at Dennis Cove or Porthilly Beach Holiday Park, say - this fills a rainy afternoon without requiring a massive time commitment. Kids either get it or they don't, but it beats another pasty shop. Walkers and serious art types will appreciate the local perspective; it's a glimpse at what's actually happening in the Cornish art scene rather than the postcard version.

The gallery's tucked into Padstow proper, so combine it with lunch at one of the harbourside spots or a mooch through the town's independent shops. You'll be in and out in 45 minutes if you're casual, longer if something catches your eye. Check ahead for opening times before you go - Padstow's great but it's not London, and gallery hours can be variable.