Liam Sharp

Liam Sharp's gallery in Derby is a proper showcase for contemporary art that actually rewards a closer look. The space itself is unpretentious - no velvet ropes or gallery snobbery - which makes wandering through surprisingly refreshing. Sharp's work spans installations and mixed media pieces that tend to provoke actual thought rather than polite nodding.

You're looking at a solid hour here, maybe 90 minutes if you're the type who reads every artist statement. Art enthusiasts will get the most from it, though anyone curious about what's happening in contemporary British visual practice should make the detour from central Derby. The gallery's close enough to explore on foot if you're staying in the city centre.

What makes it worthwhile isn't revolutionary, but it's genuine. The pieces feel like they've been made by someone with something to say, which you notice immediately after seeing the fifth corporate-sponsored installation elsewhere.

If you're based at Hill Farm Camping & Caravan Park just outside the city, it's an easy drive in. Worth combining with a proper walk around the Derwent Valley or the Derby city centre itself - the gallery doesn't demand a full day commitment, so you can stack other things around it. Check ahead on opening times and admission before you go; gallery hours can be unpredictable, and you don't want a wasted journey from the caravan park.