Thomas Cubitt

Round a corner in Tadworth and you'll stumble on Thomas Cubitt, a gallery that punches well above its weight for a small Surrey town. It's a contemporary art space that takes itself seriously without being pretentious - the sort of place where you might catch a compelling exhibition one month and a quirky local artist showcase the next. The gallery occupies a decent-sized room with good natural light, and the rotation means there's genuine reason to return if you're staying in the area.

It's really for people who actually engage with art rather than just Instagram it. If you're the sort who reads gallery notes and has opinions about composition, you'll get something from it. Kids will find it either fascinating or tedious depending on what's on - some exhibitions work for younger eyes, others are firmly for grown-ups. A quick visit takes twenty minutes; if something really grabs you, easily an hour.

The practical side: opening hours and admission details aren't readily available online, so ring ahead or check their social media before you trek over. It's close enough to make a proper afternoon of it if you're based at Surrey Hills Yurts or any of the nearby camping spots around Tadworth. The Downs are right there, so combine it with a walk - that's when a trip to a small-town gallery actually feels worthwhile rather than a rainy-day compromise.