Jarva Gallery

The Jarva Gallery sits quietly in Staffordshire, a few minutes from Buxton, and it's the sort of place you might walk past if you weren't paying attention. Inside, you'll find contemporary art displayed across intimate spaces - nothing too overwhelming, which is rather the point. The gallery takes itself seriously without the pretension you sometimes get in bigger venues, and the staff actually seem pleased to see you rather than merely tolerating your presence.

It works best for people who enjoy visual art without needing someone to explain what they're looking at for half an hour. That said, if you're staying nearby at one of the caravan parks - Lime Tree Holiday Park or Buxton Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite are both within walking distance - it's worth a quiet afternoon when the weather turns iffy. You won't spend all day here, but that's fine. Pop in for forty minutes, have a look around, move on.

The Peak District pulls in families and walkers who spend their days trudging up hillsides, so the gallery offers a civilised break without requiring you to sit down with a twelve-pound coffee. Opening hours and admission fees weren't confirmed, so ring ahead or check locally once you arrive in Buxton. It's a modest sort of place, which is exactly what makes it rather good.