Diane Hutt Gallery

The Diane Hutt Gallery sits in Lewes, a town that takes its art seriously. What you're looking at is contemporary work - paintings, sculpture, installations - the sort of space where the artists actually matter and the curation isn't just about shifting units. It's small enough that you won't need half a day, but substantial enough to make the visit worthwhile if you're into visual art at all.

The gallery tends to draw serious collectors and the sort of people who've bothered to seek it out rather than stumble in by accident. If you're staying at The Secret Campsite or Dernwood Farm Glamping nearby, it's a natural fix for a rainy afternoon or when you fancy something quieter than yet another country walk. Lewes itself is worth an hour or two - proper bookish, good pubs, the castle - so you can easily make an afternoon of it.

One thing worth knowing: opening hours and admission policies aren't always prominently advertised online, so ring ahead before you drive over. It's the kind of place that operates on its own terms rather than tourist board schedules. Artists' exhibitions tend to change seasonally, so there's reason to visit more than once if you're in the area regularly. Not a blockbuster experience, but if contemporary art is your thing, it's genuinely worth the detour from camp.