Companion Stone 3

Contemporary art in the Peak District doesn't get much more thoughtfully placed than this. Companion Stone 3 is a gallery operation near Bakewell that takes itself seriously without the usual pretension - the kind of space where you might actually want to spend time rather than feel obligated to shuffle through. The focus is on work that engages rather than alienates, though I'd check ahead on current exhibitions because the programming shifts.

This works particularly well if you're basing yourself at one of the nearby sites - Secret Wood Glamping sits just under three miles away, while North Lees and Chatsworth Park are both within reasonable driving distance. It's the sort of spot that fills a gap on a rainy afternoon when the walks are out of the question, or when someone in the group fancies something beyond the standard Peak District visitor circuit.

The gallery pulls in art enthusiasts and anyone after a break from the outdoors, though families with younger kids might find it a touch niche depending on what's on display. Worth ringing ahead to check opening hours and admission - details can be sparse for smaller galleries in the area - but if the work speaks to you, it's worth the detour from Bakewell town centre. Pair it with a walk along the River Wye or a visit to one of the estate gardens nearby, and you've got a decent half-day sorted. The Derbyshire Hills setting means the location itself is part of the appeal.