The Beeby Gallery

The Beeby Gallery sits in Olney, a town better known for its lace-making heritage than its art scene - which makes this place a proper surprise. It's a modest but serious gallery space that punches above its weight with a rotating selection of contemporary and traditional work. The kind of place where you'll find local painters alongside touring exhibitions, and the staff actually know what they're talking about rather than just manning the till.

You'll spend anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours here depending on what's on, and whether you're the type to read every label or just wander through. Artists and anyone with even a passing interest in Buckinghamshire's creative output will find something worth their time. Parents with older kids won't struggle either - it's not overwhelming, and there's usually something that catches the eye.

Because opening hours and admission fees aren't widely listed online, ring ahead before you go - nothing worse than a wasted journey. If you're camping at Ekeney House just down the road, this makes an ideal afternoon diversion when the weather turns or you fancy a break from the park. Olney's close enough for a proper wander around town afterwards: the High Street has decent cafes and that genuine market-town feel. It's not a destination in itself, but as part of a broader Buckinghamshire trip it's absolutely worth an hour of your time.