CCA Galleries Ltd

The CCA Galleries sit in Farnham, a proper market town that still feels lived-in rather than sanitised. It's a working contemporary art space - the kind of place where you'll find actual artists and creatives, not just tourists shuffling past velvet ropes.

What you get here depends entirely on what's on. The galleries rotate exhibitions, so there's no guarantee you'll see the same thing twice. That's the point, really. Local artists feature heavily, which means the work often has genuine connection to the Surrey landscape rather than feeling like it's been shipped in from a London warehouse. The space itself is welcoming without trying too hard - you won't feel pressured to have an opinion you don't actually have.

This appeals most to people who actually like looking at art without the pretension. If you're staying at Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat just down the road - a cracking spot for a break - the galleries make an easy detour into town. Little Cowdray Farm Glamping is a bit further out, but still close enough for a half-day visit.

Admission is typically free, though donations are welcome and proper encouraged. Allow an hour, maybe ninety minutes if the current exhibition really grabs you. Go midweek if you want it quieter. The town itself warrants a wander - independent cafes and bookshops, the high street still has actual shops. The galleries aren't a destination in themselves, but they're worth knowing about if you're in the area.