Shallow Gallery

The Shallow Gallery sits just outside Milton Keynes, a contemporary art space that punches well above its weight for a regional venue. It's the kind of place that rewards a proper visit - you'll find serious contemporary work on the walls, not the usual high street fare. The gallery focuses on emerging and established artists, with rotating exhibitions that actually make you think rather than simply nod politely.

It works brilliantly as a half-day stop if you're camped at Gullivers Campsite or Adventurer's Village, both within a mile. You're looking at an hour to ninety minutes here, depending on what's on and how engaged you get with the pieces. The space itself is intimate without feeling cramped, and the staff know their stuff.

This isn't for kids dragged around by parents - they'll be bored within twenty minutes. But if you're after something beyond the typical tourist trail whilst staying in the Milton Keynes holiday park cluster, it's worth the detour. Timing your visit around an exhibition opening makes it feel like an actual event rather than a casual browse. The broader area has Cosgrove Park four miles away if you fancy somewhere to let the family loose after an hour of culture.

Check ahead before making the trip though - gallery hours and admission terms aren't always clearly signposted online, and you don't want to arrive to find it's closed for an installation changeover.