Megan's Fold

Walking into Megan's Fold near Kendal feels a bit like stepping into someone's living room - it's that intimate. This isn't a slick, corporate gallery space. Instead, you're looking at art displayed inside a converted sheep fold, which gives the whole experience an unexpectedly genuine quality. The stone walls, the rural setting, the fact that sheep farming actually happens here - it all adds character that you simply don't get in town galleries.

The work on display changes regularly, so there's no guarantee what you'll find when you visit. That's either brilliant or frustrating depending on how you feel about the unexpected. Mostly it draws people who appreciate contemporary art but want something more grounded than the usual white-cube treatment. It's not a lengthy visit - reckon on 45 minutes to an hour, longer if you chat with whoever's running the place on the day.

It works particularly well if you're staying at Two Acre Glamping Pods nearby. That's only a few miles away, so you could easily combine a morning here with a walk around the fells or a pub lunch in Kendal itself. The setting makes it feel special without being pretentious. Free or paid entry varies depending on the exhibition, so check ahead before you drive out. Not essential, but if you're in the area and you like art that hasn't been smoothed over by the market, it's well worth the detour.