Cotswold Contemporary Marlow

The gallery sits right in Marlow's town centre, which means you can combine art with a proper riverside walk along the Thames without any mucking about. Cotswold Contemporary shows contemporary work across multiple spaces - paintings, sculpture, installations - and the sort of thing that'll either grab you straightaway or leave you cold. No middle ground, really.

It's the kind of place that works brilliantly if you're already in Marlow for the day. Spend an hour here, then head down to the riverside pubs or grab lunch somewhere decent. If you're staying at Rent Bell Tents just down the road, or Shillingridge Glamping further out, it's an easy detour on a rainy afternoon when you fancy something indoors. Art types and anyone who likes thinking about what they're looking at will get more from it than families with restless kids, though older teenagers might surprise you.

Worth knowing: opening hours and admission prices aren't entirely clear from the usual sources, so ring ahead or check when you're in Marlow itself. The town's compact enough that you can sort it out quickly. If you're basing yourself at Hurley Riverside Park or one of the other caravan sites nearby, this is worth the short drive as part of a wider afternoon exploring the area. Don't make it your only reason to visit Marlow, but don't skip it either if contemporary art speaks to you.