Fairy

Fairy Gallery sits in Stafford, and it's one of those spots that catches you off guard if you're exploring the town centre. Walk in expecting standard gallery fare, and you'll find yourself looking at work that actually makes you stop and think rather than shuffle past politely.

The space itself is intimate - nothing grand or overwhelming. Artists on show here tend toward contemporary work with real bite to it. You'll see painting, sculpture, sometimes installation pieces that use the room itself as part of the story. It's the sort of place where emerging talent rubs shoulders with more established names, which keeps the energy fresh if you're in town regularly.

Stafford itself isn't going to pull you across the country just for a gallery, but if you're based at Fledgling Farm - the campsite just outside town that gets solid reviews - this is exactly the kind of thing that breaks up a camping weekend nicely. Pop in for an hour between a morning walk and lunch, or visit on a rainy afternoon when you fancy something indoors. The fact it's free entry (most independent galleries are) makes it easy to dip in and out without guilt.

Works best for people who actually engage with contemporary art rather than those looking for pretty landscapes to photograph. History buffs might find it less interesting than Stafford's medieval stuff, but for anyone wanting to see what's happening in the actual art scene rather than what's in a guidebook, it's worth the wander. The town's walkable enough that you can combine it with a proper mooch around elsewhere.