Cornerstone Arts Centre

The Cornerstone Arts Centre sits in Wallingford, a proper working gallery that takes itself seriously without the stuffiness of a big-city museum. You'll find contemporary work alongside craft exhibitions - the sort of place where local artists share wall space with touring shows, and you're as likely to stumble on a photographer's portfolio as you are a collection of hand-thrown ceramics.

It's the kind of venue that rewards a slow browse rather than a quick tick-off. Spend an hour here, maybe ninety minutes if something catches you. The staff know their stuff and won't bore you with unnecessary chat unless you want it. Families with older kids do fine, though there's not much to hold under-tens; it's really for anyone who actually cares about art rather than just visiting because they think they should.

Entry details vary depending on what's on - some exhibitions are free, others ask for a contribution. Worth checking their schedule before you go. The centre works perfectly as a mid-morning stop if you're camping at Bridge Villa or Rolling Fields Glamping nearby, both just a few miles away. Wallingford itself is worth a wander afterwards - good cafes, the riverside walk, and it's the kind of market town that doesn't try too hard to be picturesque, which is precisely why it works.

Go if you're actually interested in art. Don't go expecting fancy installations or Instagram moments. This is somewhere real people make things, and that's far more interesting.