Residence

The Residence is a contemporary art gallery just outside Buckingham that punches well above its weight. You'll find rotating exhibitions of work by emerging and established artists - the kind of place where the building itself feels like part of the show, all clean lines and good light pouring through the windows.

It's worth half a morning if you're in the area, longer if the current exhibition grabs you. The space isn't enormous, so you won't be wandering aimlessly for hours trying to justify the visit. Families with teenagers interested in art will get more from it than younger kids, to be honest. Adults after some proper cultural substance without the museum fatigue will appreciate how focused it is.

The closest thing to a base for exploring this part of Buckinghamshire would be Embers Camping at Claydon, just a few miles away - decent enough if you're after a proper camping site rather than a holiday park. Pair the Residence with a walk into Buckingham itself, which has enough architectural interest and decent pubs to fill out a day.

Check online before you go - opening hours and whether there's a charge aren't always straightforward, and you'll want to know what's on. It's the sort of gallery that really depends on the current exhibition, so turning up to an empty or unimpressive show would be annoying.