ManaFlux Gaming

Video game art doesn't get the attention it deserves in most places, which makes ManaFlux in Staffordshire rather refreshing. This gallery takes gaming seriously as a visual medium - not just splashing screenshots on walls, but actually examining how pixel art, character design, and concept work function as legitimate art forms. You'll find pieces ranging from indie darlings to AAA blockbusters, displayed with the kind of curatorial thought you'd expect in a proper art space.

It's brilliant for a few hours if you're into gaming at all, though I'd temper expectations if you're after some vast museum experience. The focus here is quality over quantity. Gamers of all stripes will get something from it - whether you're hung up on 8-bit aesthetics, character design, or the storytelling side of things. Kids who can't be dragged away from a screen at home might actually engage with the work when it's presented like this.

Stoke-on-Trent's about fifteen minutes away, so you can combine it with a broader visit to the area. The Luzlow Caravan Site and Glamping at Holly Grove Farm are both within reasonable striking distance if you're basing yourself locally. Neither admission costs nor opening hours are entirely straightforward to pin down, so ring ahead before you head over - saves a wasted trip.