Panavisual

Just outside Maidstone, Panavisual is a gallery that sits a bit off the beaten track - the kind of place you'd stumble upon if you're exploring the quieter corners of Kent rather than somewhere you'd plan a weekend around. It's a visual arts space, which means the work on show changes regularly, so what you encounter depends entirely on when you visit.

The appeal here is straightforward: if you're into contemporary art or photography, it's worth a look while you're in the area. Not a massive commitment - you can easily spend an hour browsing, depending on what's hanging. It's the sort of venue that attracts serious art types and curious locals rather than families with young children, though older kids who actually care about galleries won't be bored.

The location works well if you're basing yourself at River View Camping just down the road, or at The Hop Farm a couple of miles away. Both give you easy access into Maidstone proper, which means you can combine a gallery visit with the town's other attractions without too much faffing about. Since admission details aren't widely publicised, it's worth ringing ahead before you go - opening hours can be variable at smaller galleries, and you'll want to confirm whether there's a charge.

Honestly, Panavisual is a nice bonus rather than a main event. If you're already in the area camping or staying nearby and the weather's turned grey, it fills an afternoon perfectly well.