MazArt Academy

You'll find MazArt Academy tucked away in Staffordshire, a gallery space that takes a hands-on approach to art rather than the usual stand-and-stare affair. This isn't a traditional museum where you're herded past oil paintings behind velvet ropes. Instead, it's built around interactive and participatory art - the kind of place where you're encouraged to engage, create, and get properly involved rather than just observe from a distance.

It works well for families who've had enough of passive gallery time, and for anyone after something a bit different from the standard Stoke-on-Trent cultural trail. Adults who like a bit of creative experimentation will find it interesting too, though it's the younger end of the visitor spectrum that'll likely get the most from the participatory angle.

The gallery sits within decent reach of several camping spots - Castle Camping is barely 2 miles away and consistently highly rated, while Yellowstone Camping over in Sandbach is just under 4 miles if you're looking for caravan facilities. Both make solid bases for a Staffordshire break.

Worth noting: opening hours and admission details aren't immediately clear from online sources, so it's worth ringing ahead before you plan a visit. Allow an hour or so to get the full experience without feeling rushed. The location near Stoke gives you plenty of pottery heritage to explore afterwards if you're into that sort of thing - the town's pottery quarter is well documented.