Circle of the Dancing Faun

The Circle of the Dancing Faun is a gallery space near Buckingham that punches well above its weight for a small-town venue. It's the sort of place that catches you off guard - you're wandering around the Buckinghamshire countryside and suddenly you're in front of contemporary or traditional art that actually makes you stop and look properly.

What you get here depends entirely on what's showing at the time. It's not a permanent collection - more a rotating exhibition space that takes work from local and regional artists. The Dancing Faun itself features in the branding, though whether that's mythology or whimsy I'll leave you to discover. The space itself is intimate. You're not fighting crowds or hauling yourself through endless rooms.

This works brilliantly if you're staying at one of the nearby campsites - Hedgehog Retreat or Silverstone Woodlands are close by - and you want a rainy afternoon activity or a proper break from the great outdoors. Gallery-goers and anyone who appreciates what's happening in regional art will get the most from a visit. Kids? Only if they're genuinely interested in what's on display - it's not set up as family entertainment.

I'd ring ahead from Buckingham or check online before making the trip, as opening hours and admission details aren't straightforward. That said, if you're passing through or based nearby, it's well worth poking your head in. Even a short visit beats another lap around the market town.