The Slade Centre

The Slade Centre sits just outside Shaftesbury and is basically the area's main venue for contemporary art and performance. You'll find rotating exhibitions of work by regional and emerging artists, plus the odd theatre production or live music event - the kind of place where you might stumble into something genuinely interesting rather than the usual tourist fare.

It's worth checking their schedule before you go because the appeal depends entirely on what's on. If there's an exhibition that catches your eye, reckon on spending a good two hours wandering around. The building itself is functional rather than fancy, but that works - the focus stays on the work rather than the architecture trying to steal the show.

Families with older kids who aren't allergic to galleries will get something from it. Younger children might find it a bit dull unless there's something interactive on. Art types and anyone keen on what's happening in the regional creative scene should absolutely pop in. It's the sort of place that rewards curiosity more than casual footfall.

Being just a few miles from Shaftesbury, it slots nicely into a broader visit to the area. Pair it with a stay at Sunnyhill Campsite or the posher Gold Hill Glamping - both are minutes away - and you've got a proper cultural interlude between countryside walks and market town wandering. Check ahead though; opening hours and admission vary depending on what's running.