Kingfisher

The Kingfisher gallery sits in Stafford and does exactly what a proper small-town art space should do - it doesn't overcomplicate things. You'll find contemporary work hung on clean white walls, the kind of place where locals actually go rather than somewhere that exists purely for the guidebook crowd.

The space itself is modest, which works in its favour. There's no fatigue from wandering endless corridors, and you can usually take in the current exhibition in a leisurely hour or so. The programming leans towards emerging artists and regional work, so if you're after the big names, look elsewhere. But if you want to see what's happening in the Midlands art scene without the pretension, this is it.

It's the sort of place that works well if you're staying at somewhere like Fledgling Farm - a nearby campsite just outside town - and want a rainy afternoon activity that doesn't require much planning. Families with older kids who actually like art will get something from it; younger children will find it a bit thin unless they're the creative type already.

Stafford itself is small enough that you can combine this with a walk through the town centre and a decent lunch. Worth checking their opening hours and any current exhibitions before you go - galleries like this sometimes shift their programmes seasonally. Don't expect it to be the highlight of your trip, but as a low-key cultural stop, it punches above its weight.