Anja Percival Printmaker

You'll find Anja Percival's printmaking studio tucked away in County Durham, a proper working gallery where the artist is often at hand to talk through her process. This isn't a grand institution with gilt frames and velvet ropes - it's a genuine working space, and that's what makes it interesting. Percival's prints range from bold landscapes to more intimate botanical studies, all executed with real technical skill. The work has a directness to it that you don't always get in commercial galleries.

It's the kind of place that rewards a slow wander. Artists and anyone serious about printmaking will find plenty to discuss, but casual visitors might spend twenty minutes rather than hours. The real value here is seeing how contemporary printwork actually gets made - not just the finished piece behind glass.

Being within striking distance of Durham itself (just 2.2 miles from Durham Grange Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite, and a handful of other sites nearby including Finchale Abbey and Grove Farm), this works well as a morning visit on a park-based holiday. You could easily combine it with a stroll through Durham city centre or a visit to the cathedral. Check ahead for opening times and admission charges before you travel - details aren't widely published online, so a quick ring is your best bet. Well worth the effort if printmaking or contemporary visual art appeals to you at all.