Oberon Gallery

The Oberon Gallery sits quietly in Leicester, a proper find if you're after contemporary art without the fuss of a major institution. It's a working gallery space that takes its exhibitions seriously - expect rotating shows of painting, sculpture, and mixed media from established and emerging artists. The space itself is intimate rather than sprawling, which means you're not wandering for hours squinting at tiny labels.

This is one for people who actually care about what they're looking at. If you're dragging reluctant teenagers round a caravan park, they'll likely lose interest after forty minutes. But if you're the sort who reads gallery notes and has opinions about whether abstract work succeeds or falls flat, you'll find it worth an afternoon detour from any of the nearby parks - Bradgate Park and Green Acres are both within five miles if you want to combine a woodland walk with some culture.

I'd ring ahead before visiting to check what's on and whether there's an entrance fee - details are thin on the ground online. Allow a couple of hours maximum if you want coffee afterwards. Best visited midweek when it's less crowded, and worth timing it around Leicester's wider art scene if you're spending a full week in the area. It won't rival a trip to Birmingham's galleries, but it punches above its weight for a regional venue.