The Frame Centre

The Frame Centre in Petersfield is a proper working gallery where you can actually watch craftspeople at their benches. It's the sort of place that reminds you what handmade means - frames being built, artwork being restored, the whole lot done with actual skill rather than a machine somewhere in a warehouse.

You'll find contemporary and traditional work on the walls, but the real draw is seeing how it all comes together. Staff know their stuff and won't bore you with art-speak if you're not after it. The space itself is light and unpretentious, which makes browsing genuinely pleasant rather than feel-like-you-should-be-enjoying-it uncomfortable.

Walkers passing through Petersfield will appreciate the town location - it's not a trek off the beaten path. If you're staying at Adhurst Yurts just down the road, it's an easy detour, and if you're at Cedar Valley further afield, worth combining with other bits of the town. Allow 45 minutes to an hour unless you're seriously into the craft side of things, in which case you could chat to makers for considerably longer.

Honestly, it's the sort of spot that works best when you're not trying to tick off gallery visits. Drop in if you're in Petersfield anyway. Expect to learn something about how frames are actually made - and possibly want one.