Via Lucem Continues

Via Lucem Continues is a contemporary gallery tucked away in Kent that takes its name from a Latin phrase meaning 'through light' - and light is exactly what drives the work on show here. The space itself is intimate rather than grand, which means you're not going to spend half a day wandering through endless rooms, but that's rather the point. The focus is on quality over quantity, with the gallery hosting rotating exhibitions that tend toward abstract and experimental pieces.

This isn't the sort of place for families with restless kids, if I'm honest. There's no interactive nonsense or anything designed to hold a five-year-old's attention. That said, serious art types and photographers will find plenty to chew on, particularly if you're interested in how contemporary artists play with colour and form. Allow an hour or so, maybe ninety minutes if you really want to sit with the work.

If you're camped at Dunn Street Farm just down the road - and it's a cracking spot with top reviews - Via Lucem makes a proper cultural breather from pitching tents and cooking over a stove. Painters Farm and Mount Ephraim are both within easy driving distance too, so it works well as a half-day outing alongside exploring the wider Kent countryside. Check ahead for opening hours and current exhibitions before you head over, as galleries like this can run on quieter schedules.