The Loft Studio

The Loft Studio sits just outside St. Agnes, a working gallery that feels more like dropping in on an artist's studio than visiting a formal exhibition space. You get the sense straightaway that this is someone's actual creative hub - the kind of place where you might catch work in progress and have a proper conversation with the maker, rather than being shepherded round by gallery staff.

The space showcases contemporary work, mostly painting and mixed media, with a rotation that keeps things fresh. It's intimate enough that you won't feel pressured to linger if it's not grabbing you, but spacious enough to really look at pieces without craning your neck around other visitors. Worth allowing 45 minutes to an hour if you're genuinely interested in the work.

This works brilliantly as a break from beach time if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Perran View Holiday Park is barely a mile away, and Anchor Barrow Campsite even closer. You could easily pop in between a morning at the beach and lunch back at your caravan. Art enthusiasts and anyone after something beyond the usual seaside fare will get the most from it; young kids might find it a bit of a yawn unless they're already gallery-trained.

Since opening hours and admission aren't readily available, ring ahead before you go - nothing worse than driving out expecting to browse and finding the door locked. St. Agnes itself is worth a poodle around afterwards if you've got time, though the real draw for most visitors will be the coastal walks nearby.