Whitewater Contemporary

The gallery sits just outside Polzeath, a proper working space where you'll find contemporary art that actually makes you stop and think rather than nod and move on. It's the kind of place that takes itself seriously without being pretentious - artists showing work that ranges from painting and sculpture to installations that use the space itself as part of the piece.

You won't spend three hours here unless you're genuinely into modern art, but that's not a criticism. An hour or so gives you time to move through at a pace that lets things sink in, especially if the current exhibition has caught your eye. The space has good light and decent proportions, so work reads well on the walls. Check their website before you go though - opening hours vary and you'll want to know what's on.

It works well as a quiet morning visit if you're based at Porthilly Beach Holiday Park or St Minver Holiday Park nearby. The North Cornwall coast is brilliant for beaches and coastal walks, so you could easily slot this in before heading down to the sand, or grab a coffee after and let the art settle while you watch surfers at Polzeath. Art types and anyone who likes seeing what local and regional artists are doing will find it worth a detour. Families with younger kids might find it a bit of a stretch unless they're already gallery-trained, but older teens who've got genuine interests will appreciate it. Free admission would be a nice touch - worth checking their current setup when you plan your trip.