Shelter

The gallery sits just outside Buckingham and operates on a refreshingly straightforward model - you turn up, have a look around, and that's it. It's a contemporary art space that takes itself seriously without the stuffiness you sometimes get with galleries in market towns.

Inside, you'll find rotating exhibitions of painting, sculpture, and installation work from emerging and established artists. The space itself is intimate rather than grand, which means you can actually take in what's on display without feeling overwhelmed. I'd give it ninety minutes maximum unless there's something particularly sprawling on - and that includes a browse of whatever they've got in the shop.

It works best for art-inclined adults and older teenagers who want something beyond the usual tourist fare. Young children might get restless after twenty minutes, to be honest. The nearest town, Buckingham, is walkable if you fancy stretching your legs beforehand.

If you're camping nearby - Embers Camping at Claydon is only 3.8 miles away - it's the sort of place worth checking out on a rainy afternoon or when you've exhausted the park's activities. Ring ahead to check what's on; exhibitions rotate, and you'll want to make sure there's something that appeals to your crowd. Free or paid entry varies depending on what's showing, so it's worth confirming before you visit.