Companion Stone 7

Companion Stone 7 is a contemporary art gallery tucked away in the Derbyshire countryside near Bakewell, showing work that sits somewhere between traditional craft and modern installation. The space itself is worth a visit - it's intimate rather than grand, which means the work gets proper attention rather than getting lost in echoing halls.

The gallery tends to attract art enthusiasts and makers more than casual browsers, which isn't a criticism. If you're staying at one of the nearby campsites - Chatsworth Park is closest at just over two miles away - it makes a decent half-hour diversion on a day when the weather's turning. You won't need more than an hour here unless you're the type who reads every artist's statement and sketches in the margins of your notebook.

What makes it worthwhile is that it feels like the real thing. There's no gift shop padding, no audio guides. Just art and the space around it. Opening hours and admission fees aren't widely publicised online, so ring ahead before you visit - this isn't the sort of place that stays open just because the sun's up.

Set it alongside a walk to Chatsworth House or a ramble around Bakewell's market town if you're planning a proper park-based break in the Peak District. It's the sort of spot that rewards curiosity rather than demanding it - turn up unannounced and you might find something, or you might find the door locked. That's part of its charm, really.