McKee Gallery

The McKee Gallery sits in Sheffield, a proper working art space that takes itself seriously without the stuffiness you sometimes get with galleries in bigger cities. It's the kind of place where you'll bump into actual artists and see work that's genuinely contemporary rather than touring the same safe exhibitions everywhere else.

Inside, the space feels intimate. You get a real sense of what's being made and thought about right now, whether that's painting, sculpture, or whatever medium the current shows are exploring. The scale means you won't spend three hours wandering through endless rooms - most visits tick over in 45 minutes to an hour, which suits people who want art without the gallery-fatigue afterwards.

It works best for anyone who cares about what's happening in the visual arts scene beyond the obvious names. Casual visitors might find it a bit lean if they're after blockbuster exhibitions, but that's rather the point. There's no pretension, which is refreshing.

If you're camping nearby - Wyming Brook Farm Campsite sits just five miles away and comes highly rated - you could easily tie this in with a morning in Sheffield before heading out to the Peak District proper. Fox Hagg Farm is another solid option at 3.7 miles, giving you a proper base without being too remote. Gallery opening hours and admission details are worth checking before you visit, but it's the kind of place that welcomes drop-ins.