Uffington

The gallery in Uffington sits in a village that's better known for its white horse carved into the chalk downs than for contemporary art, which makes it all the more surprising when you stumble across proper work being shown here. It's a small operation - don't expect sprawling exhibition spaces - but that's rather the point. The setup feels genuinely local, the kind of place where you might find emerging artists alongside established names, and the staff actually know what they're talking about instead of just standing guard.

Wantage, just a few miles away, is your nearest town if you need supplies or lunch before heading over. The village itself has that rolling Oxfordshire feel - all dry stone walls and fields that don't end - so it works perfectly as a stopping point between more ambitious days out. History buffs will get a kick out of the white horse itself, which dominates the landscape here and dates back over two thousand years, though seeing it from ground level is trickier than you'd think.

If you're based at somewhere like Evelyns Garden Glamping nearby, this makes an easy afternoon slot. Not one to block out hours for, but definitely worth a look if you're in the area. The real value is wandering the village afterwards and soaking up the downland views - the gallery is just the excuse to stop here rather than drive straight through. Check ahead for opening times and what's on, as programming can be patchy.