Studio s999art Anna Marija Bulka & Jakub Pyrdek

Studio s999art sits just outside Burton-on-Trent, a working space where Polish artists Anna Marija Bulka and Jakub Pyrdek create and sometimes open their doors to visitors. It's not a formal gallery or tourist attraction in the traditional sense - more a genuine artist's studio where you might catch them actually making work rather than standing about giving polished tours.

What you get depends entirely on timing and the artists' schedules. On a good day, you'll see contemporary art in the making, watch the creative process unfold, and have a proper conversation about what drives the work. It's intimate in a way most commercial galleries never manage. If they're not working or haven't advertised an open studio, you'll find the shutters down - so this isn't a turn-up-and-pop-in kind of place.

This works best for anyone genuinely interested in contemporary art and the people making it, rather than families after a quick cultural tick-box. Artists themselves, art students, and collectors tend to find it rewarding. Casual browsers might feel a bit awkward.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Peake's Retreats is closest at just over three miles away - ring ahead or check their social media before making the trip. It's worth the detour if the studio is open, but don't build your afternoon around it. Pair it with a proper explore of Burton-on-Trent itself, which has genuine character beyond the studio visit.