Vice Press

A proper working gallery and print studio in Rotherham, Vice Press is the sort of place that makes you realise how much contemporary art happens away from the London circuit. You'll find artists actually making work here - screen printing, letterpress, digital design - rather than just hanging finished pieces on white walls.

The space pulls in anyone curious about how things are made. Graphic designers come to see the technical side. Art students watch demos. Families with older kids get a kick out of watching the presses in action, though there's not much hands-on activity for younger children, so don't expect them to be entertained for hours. It's a working studio first, gallery second.

What makes it worth the drive from nearby Hooton Lodge Farm or Waleswood Caravan Park is the lack of pretension. These are working artists who want you to understand their process, not just admire the results. You're looking at screen-printed posters, limited editions, typographic experiments - the kind of stuff that ends up in bedrooms and independent cafes rather than corporate lobbies.

Go on a day when something's actually happening in the studio if you can. Call ahead to check what's on and when you can visit - opening hours aren't fixed. Free entry most of the time, though specific exhibitions might vary. Budget an hour if there's a demo on, thirty minutes if you're just browsing. It complements a countryside park break nicely - Rother Valley Country Park is close enough for a morning walk before heading into Rotherham for something different.