Refuge

Refuge is a contemporary gallery tucked away in Buckinghamshire, and it's refreshingly unpretentious about what it does. You'll find actual artists working here rather than a stuffy white-cube experience - the whole setup feels more like stepping into someone's working studio than a traditional gallery space.

The work on display tends toward the experimental and often challenges rather than comforts. It's the kind of place where you'll either have a genuine moment with a piece or you'll wonder what on earth you're looking at. Both reactions are valid, and honestly, that's the point.

Buckingham itself is close by if you need lunch or a proper coffee afterwards. The gallery works well as part of a wider wander around the area - it's not the sort of thing you'd travel two hours for specifically, but if you're based at somewhere like Embers Camping over in Claydon, it's definitely worth the short drive.

Allow an hour, maybe ninety minutes if you're the type to read every artist statement. It suits people who actually care about contemporary practice more than those looking for Instagram moments. Families with young kids might find it a bit much - there's not a lot of interactive business here.