Collect Art

Collect Art sits in Knutsford, a proper jewel of a market town in Cheshire, and it's worth carving out an afternoon if you've got any interest in contemporary work. The gallery stocks an actual rotating selection of pieces rather than the same tired inventory you'll find in chain galleries - paintings, sculpture, prints, the lot. You can spend twenty minutes browsing or lose two hours; it entirely depends on what's on and whether something grabs you.

The staff know their stock and won't pounce on you the moment you walk in, which is refreshing. It's the sort of place where you genuinely might find something that fits both your wall and your budget, rather than being sold something you didn't want. Families with older kids who can manage quiet, contemplative spaces will get on fine. Little ones, less so - it's not interactive or particularly colourful.

If you're staying at Belmont Hall Camping just outside town, it's an easy drive in for an evening visit or a rainy afternoon escape. Knutsford itself rewards a wander - the high street has proper independent shops and decent cafes, so combine it with lunch rather than making it a standalone trip. Don't expect a massive exhibition space; this is intimate and personal. Whether that appeals depends entirely on whether you'd rather spend your time talking to a real person about art or queuing past a branded blockbuster show. Admission details aren't readily available online, so ring ahead before you go.