Willingham

Contemporary art finds an unexpected home in this rural Cambridgeshire village, just a short drive from Cambridge. The gallery sits in what was once a traditional village building, now transformed into a proper exhibition space that feels refreshingly unpretentious compared to the stuffier Cambridge venues.

Local and regional artists dominate the rotating exhibitions here, with everything from bold abstracts to delicate watercolours of the surrounding fenland landscape. It's the sort of place where you might stumble across a brilliant unknown painter or catch a ceramicist's latest work before they hit the bigger galleries.

Art enthusiasts will appreciate the intimate scale - you can actually have a proper conversation with whoever's minding the gallery, often the artists themselves. Families might find it hit-or-miss depending on what's showing, though the village itself is lovely for a wander.

Being just off the beaten track near Cambridge means it pairs well with a countryside break. Several campsites dot the area, including Roseberry Tourist Park and Hempsall Farm Vegan Glamping, both within a couple of miles. The gallery makes for a cultured pit stop between exploring the fens and heading into Cambridge proper for the day.