Jenny Cowderoy Fine Art

A proper gallery space tucked away in the Wiltshire countryside near Bath, Jenny Cowderoy Fine Art is the kind of place you stumble upon and think, why don't more people know about this? The work on display centres on contemporary fine art, and the setting itself - intimate, unhurried - makes browsing feel less like gallery duty and more like actually being in someone's working space.

It's genuinely one for art types rather than reluctant partners being dragged round on a rainy afternoon. Children will get bored within twenty minutes, if we're honest. But if you care about original work, emerging artists, or just want somewhere quiet that isn't full of school groups, this hits different. The gallery rewards proper looking - the kind where you stand in front of something for five minutes instead of taking a photo and moving on.

Bath's only six miles away, so it works nicely as a detour if you're already down that way. Closer still, Widbrook Barns is a solid base if you're planning a week in the area - staying put there gives you flexibility to explore both the gallery and Bath proper without feeling rushed.

Worth ringing ahead to confirm opening times and whether there's a current show on - these smaller spaces sometimes operate by appointment during quieter periods. Free entry, as far as we can tell, though they'll appreciate it if you're genuinely interested rather than treating it like a pit stop.