Totem

Totem is a contemporary art gallery that pulls in serious collectors and curious types looking for something beyond the high street. Located within reach of Nottingham, it's the sort of place where you stumble on work that actually makes you stop and think - no corporate blandness, no safe choices. The space itself has that raw, unpretentious feel that proper galleries tend to have. You're looking at painting, sculpture, and mixed media from artists who've actually honed their craft rather than relied on a PR team.

Who gets most from it? Anyone with even a passing interest in contemporary work, really. Not a destination for small children - they'll be bored stiff after twenty minutes - but absolute heaven for art students, practising artists, and folk who like their weekends to involve a bit of cultural thinking. If you're staying at nearby Fairview Farm Log Cabins, it's an easy enough trip into Nottingham's creative side without fighting through the shopping centre crowds.

You'll want to allow about an hour, maybe ninety minutes if you're the type to read every caption. The gallery tends to rotate exhibitions, so it's worth checking what's on before you visit - return visits actually make sense here rather than treating it as a one-off tick-box. Free admission is typical for smaller independent galleries, though do confirm opening hours beforehand as they can be variable. It's the sort of spot that rewards a bit of planning rather than a casual drop-in.