The New Gallery

Art lovers wandering through Shanklin will find this contemporary gallery tucked away from the main tourist trail. The New Gallery showcases rotating exhibitions of modern and contemporary works, with a particular focus on local Isle of Wight artists alongside visiting collections. You'll find everything from bold abstracts to landscape photography that captures the island's dramatic coastlines.

Families might find it a bit niche unless they've got budding artists in tow, but it's a lovely rainy day refuge. The space itself is compact and well-lit, so you're looking at about 45 minutes to an hour for a proper browse. Contemporary art enthusiasts will appreciate the quality of curation - they clearly know their stuff here.

Location-wise, it works brilliantly if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Parkdean's Lower Hyde or Landguard sites. Shanklin's got plenty of other attractions within walking distance, so you can easily combine a gallery visit with a stroll along the cliff paths or a peek at the Old Village. The timing works particularly well on those changeable island days when you need an indoor backup plan between beach sessions.