The Gardens Gallery

The Gardens Gallery in Cheltenham is a proper art space that takes its name seriously - the grounds matter as much as what's hanging on the walls inside. You get contemporary work displayed across intimate rooms, the kind of place where you can actually see what the artist was trying to do rather than squinting at postage stamps behind velvet ropes.

It's ideal if you're the sort who likes to spend a couple of hours poking around art without feeling rushed or overwhelmed by crowds. The setting near Cheltenham means you're well-positioned for a broader Cotswolds art trail, though this venue punches its own weight rather than being a secondary stop. Local work features regularly, which gives it character - you're not looking at generic touring exhibitions.

Expect to spend between one and two hours here depending on how you engage with the pieces. The real advantage is that it's close enough to Cheltenham Racecourse Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite and Briarfields Touring Caravan Park - both within three miles - making it an easy afternoon visit if you're based at either site. If glamping appeals more, Coxhorne and Big Skies are similarly close.

Families with older children will get more from it than those with toddlers - you'll want kids who can actually look at art rather than treat it as a playground. Admission details and current opening hours are worth checking before you visit, as smaller galleries can shift their schedules seasonally.