Brittlebrush

Brittlebrush is a contemporary art gallery tucked away in Warwickshire, just outside Stratford-upon-Avon - the sort of place you'd walk past without noticing unless someone tipped you off. It's all rather intimate and low-key, which suits the work on display. The gallery focuses on modern and contemporary pieces, though exact details about current exhibitions and opening arrangements aren't readily available online, so ringing ahead is sensible before making the trip.

This is really for people who take their art seriously rather than casual browsers looking for a quick cultural tick. You're talking artists and collectors rather than families after a rainy-day activity. A visit might take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours depending on how you engage with what's showing, so it's not something to squeeze in between other attractions.

Stratford-upon-Avon itself will keep you busy - the Shakespeare sites are obvious, but there's proper good walking along the Avon, and the town centre has genuine character beyond the tourist shops. Several caravan parks sit within easy driving distance: Rayford is barely a mile away, while Dodwell and Stratford-upon-Avon Lodge Retreat are all roughly the same distance, making any of them solid bases if you're planning a week in the area. Welford Riverside Park further afield offers something quieter if you prefer countryside over town proximity.

Worth building into a longer Warwickshire trip rather than as a standalone afternoon outing.