Cobwebs

Cobwebs is a working artist studio and gallery just outside Melton Mowbray, where you can watch craftspeople actually making things rather than just looking at finished pieces behind glass. The space itself is the draw - converted farm buildings with proper character, the kind of place where you half expect to find a cobweb or two, though it's kept clean enough. You'll see jewellery, ceramics, textiles, and other handmade work, all produced on-site.

It's worth stopping if you're passing through the area, especially if you care about supporting local makers. Don't expect a polished retail experience - this is genuinely informal, which is either refreshing or a bit too rough around the edges depending on your mood. The work is good quality, not tourist tat, and prices reflect that.

If you're staying at The Grange or Eye Kettleby Lakes nearby, it's a reasonable detour on a slow morning. Give yourself an hour maximum unless you're seriously into craft. There's no café, so don't show up expecting lunch. Call ahead to check opening times and admission fees - details are sketchy online, which is fairly typical of independent galleries in market towns like Melton Mowbray.

Kids might find it dull unless they're already interested in making things themselves. Parents who like supporting small businesses will get more from it than casual browsers.