Sundial

Sundial is a contemporary art gallery just outside Newark, housed in what feels like a proper creative space rather than the fusty institutional type. The work spans painting, sculpture, and installation - the kind of place where you'll spend anywhere from forty minutes to two hours depending on what's on and how much you want to linger over individual pieces.

It's ideal if you're the sort who actually enjoys modern art rather than someone dragged along by a partner. Serious collectors and practitioners will find proper substance here; casual browsers might find themselves underwhelmed if the current exhibition doesn't spark something. Worth checking what's showing before you make the trip.

The real draw is how it anchors a quieter corner of Nottinghamshire. If you're bunking down at one of the nearby glamping spots - BrackenXcapes is closest at 3.6 miles, or Witham Grange if you want a slightly longer soak in rural Midlands life - Sundial gives you a legitimate reason to head into Newark for a proper afternoon. Combine it with the market town's independent shops and decent pubs, and you've got a half-day sorted.

Admission details aren't readily available online, so ring ahead before you go. Opening hours vary seasonally too. It's the kind of gallery that rewards a bit of homework beforehand rather than a random drop-in, but if contemporary work is your thing, it's well worth the minor effort.