Stiwdio Mandala

An artist's studio and gallery tucked away in the Powys countryside, Stiwdio Mandala is the kind of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. The work on display tends toward contemporary art and craft - paintings, sculptures, textiles, sometimes installations that make use of the studio's natural light. It's intimate rather than grand, which means you'll either find it refreshingly honest or a bit slight, depending on your taste.

The real draw here is meeting the artists themselves if you time it right. This isn't a sterile white-box gallery where you're herded past velvet ropes. You can actually chat about the work, ask questions, maybe even watch someone in the studio if you're lucky. That matters to art types, particularly those who want substance over Instagram moments.

It's a half-hour drive from Welshpool, so worth combining with a broader Powys ramble. The nearby holiday parks - Valley View and Cae Nant Glamping especially, both with top ratings - make decent bases for exploring the area. Budget an hour here maximum. Families with young kids might find it underwhelming unless art is already a passion. Walkers passing through the region and anyone interested in the local creative scene will get more from it.

Check ahead for opening times and what's on - gallery schedules in rural Wales can be fluid, and you'll want to confirm admission charges before the drive out.