Worthing Museum & Gallery

You'll find this place tucked into Worthing town centre, a short drive from Lancing - the sort of local museum that surprises you with how much it's got going on. The collection spans everything from Saxon pottery to seaside memorabilia, which tells you something about the town's dual identity as both a working settlement and a Victorian resort nobody quite remembers anymore.

What you're actually doing is wandering through rooms of local archaeology, decorative arts, and a fair bit of quirky seaside history - the kind of stuff that makes sense when you're staying nearby but wouldn't necessarily drag you in from miles away. The real draws are the temporary exhibitions, which change regularly and tend to focus on regional artists or forgotten bits of Sussex heritage.

For families with kids under ten, it's a bit of a mixed bag. An hour clears the main galleries, and unless there's something specifically aimed at children on, older kids might find it slow. History buffs and anyone interested in how ordinary English towns developed will actually get something from it though.

If you're based at Beach Park, The Barn, or Eastern Sands - all within three miles - it's a decent wet-weather option or a quick morning out. Check opening hours before you go, as they vary. Entry's usually free or a couple of quid, which keeps it low-commitment. Worth a look if you're in the area, but don't rearrange your holiday around it.