Squirrel

Squirrel is a gallery tucked away in Leicestershire that punches well above its weight. You're looking at contemporary art in a space that actually feels like someone who lives there has curated it - no corporate sterility, just genuine taste and a willingness to show work that genuinely matters rather than whatever shifts units.

The setup is refreshingly unpretentious. You wander through rooms that change seasonally, featuring everything from painting and sculpture to installation pieces that make you stop and think for a moment. It's the sort of place where the artist's intention is clear without needing a three-paragraph wall text to decode it. Most visitors spend between 45 minutes and two hours here depending on how deep you want to go.

This works brilliantly if you're an art person, obviously, but it's equally good for anyone who finds most galleries a bit much - the scale means you won't feel pressured into hours of wandering. Kids? Only if they're genuinely interested in visual art rather than just dragged along. Swadlincote sits about 10 minutes away, so it's easily fitted into a larger day trip exploring the area.

If you're based at Conkers Camping and Caravanning Club Site or Peake's Retreats nearby, this is a proper addition to a park holiday in the region. Free admission is likely, though best checking ahead. Go midweek if possible - you'll have the place almost to yourself.