The Gallery at The Arc

The Arc's gallery space sits just outside Winchester and punches well above its weight for a small-town arts venue. You're looking at contemporary work mostly - paintings, sculpture, installations - spread across a surprisingly light-filled space that doesn't feel cramped or pretentious. The shows rotate, so what's on depends when you visit, but the curatorial eye is generally sound rather than scattering things about just to fill wall space.

It's the sort of place that rewards a proper look rather than a quick walk-through. Most people spend forty minutes to an hour here, maybe longer if there's a show that grabs you. The venue itself is fairly compact, which is actually its strength - you won't be wandering for ages wondering if you've missed something.

Worth factoring in if you're based at one of the nearby caravan sites - Hookpit Farm and Holden Farm are both strong options - and you want a rainy-day activity or an evening out without driving far. Winchester's town centre is close enough that you could easily combine it with shops and the cathedral. Fair warning though: it's not a destination in itself. You won't book a week's holiday around it. But if you're staying locally with the campervan or tent, and you fancy something cultural that doesn't feel stuffy, it's a solid half-hour detour. Check ahead for opening times and what's currently showing - small galleries sometimes keep irregular hours.