Perseus

Perseus is a contemporary art gallery tucked away in Staffordshire, just outside Stafford. It's the sort of place that catches you off-guard if you're exploring the area - not flashy, not trying to be something it isn't, just quietly getting on with showing interesting work.

The gallery focuses on contemporary practice, which means you're looking at current artists doing their thing rather than dusty Old Masters. Depending on what's on during your visit, you might find sculpture, painting, installation, the lot. The space itself is manageable - you're not going to spend five hours here, but that's fine. An hour to ninety minutes is realistic, and you'll actually look at things rather than just walking past.

This works best if you're genuinely interested in art. Kids might find it a slog unless they're old enough to engage with what's on the walls. History types will get less from it than visual art enthusiasts. Walkers and families treating it as a casual cultural stop are better served elsewhere.

If you're staying at nearby Fledgling Farm - a decent little camp site just over five miles away - Perseus makes a good rainy-day outing or a half-morning before heading elsewhere. Stafford itself has shops and pubs worth a rummage through. The gallery's free admission, though check opening hours before you head over, as they can be patchy. Worth a look if contemporary art's your thing, but don't make it the centerpiece of your trip.