Eirian Studio Glass

Glasswork that actually stops you in your tracks - that's what you get at Eirian Studio Glass, tucked away in the Powys hills between Hereford and Hay-on-Wye. It's a working studio and gallery where you can watch the glassmakers do their thing, not just look at finished pieces behind velvet ropes. The colour work is particularly good: deep blues, warm ambers, the sort of stuff that catches the light properly.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - By the Wye Glamping is practically on the doorstep, or Hay-on-Wye Caravan Park if you want a proper campsite - this makes an easy afternoon detour. You won't need more than an hour or so unless you're genuinely into glass art, in which case you could happily spend longer watching demonstrations or chatting to the artists.

The gallery side is modest but worth a browse. Prices reflect the handmade quality, so don't expect bargain-basement stuff. It's the sort of place that works best with older kids or adults rather than toddlers running riot. The studio location means it's quiet, genuinely peaceful - quite a contrast to the busier tourist pull of nearby Hay-on-Wye.

Fair warning: opening hours can be a bit variable, so ring ahead before you trek out. When it's on though, it's proper good. The sort of stop that makes a holiday feel a bit less cookie-cutter.