Clarendon Fine Art Bury St Edmunds

Right in the centre of Bury St Edmunds, Clarendon Fine Art sits tucked into the sort of street where you might easily walk past if you weren't looking. This is a proper contemporary gallery - the kind where staff actually know what they're talking about rather than hovering awkwardly. The space itself is well-presented without feeling sterile, and the rotating exhibitions tend to focus on painting and sculpture from established and emerging artists. It's small enough that you won't need more than an hour here, but serious art types often linger longer over the work.

Who gets the most from it? Anyone with a genuine interest in contemporary British art, really. It's not a family day-out sort of place - kids will get bored quickly - but it works perfectly as a mid-morning visit if you're based at one of the nearby holiday parks like The Four Bells Glamping or West Stow Pods. Pair it with a wander round Bury St Edmunds' market square and abbey ruins, and you've got a decent cultural half-day sorted.

I'd ring ahead before visiting to check current exhibitions and opening hours, since independent galleries can be temperamental with their schedules. Entry details aren't always advertised online. The location in town means free parking is tricky, but the pay car parks are reasonable. If you're staying out at Kings Forest Caravan Park or Church View Campsite, it's worth the short drive in.