DARCY GALLERIES

Art galleries in Cheltenham tend to be either grand civic institutions or tucked away in converted Georgian townhouses. Darcy Galleries falls into the latter camp - a proper independent space showing contemporary work and established pieces that actually feel curated rather than just filling wall space.

It's the sort of place where you'll spend 45 minutes if you're seriously into it, or 20 if you're browsing between lunch and the shops. The scale is intimate rather than exhausting, which means you won't feel obliged to sprint through. Work varies - painting, sculpture, prints - but there's always something on that makes you pause rather than scroll past.

Closest to Cheltenham town centre, so it slots easily into a wider wander around the Regency terraces and independent shops that make the place worth a proper visit. Pop in before grabbing coffee, or after. No pressure either way.

If you're camping at Briarfields or Cheltenham Racecourse - both within walking distance of town - this takes the edge off "what do we do when the weather turns" without requiring a full day's commitment. Families with teenagers who can stand still for more than five minutes will get more from it than younger kids, but that's art galleries for you.

Check ahead for opening times and admission fees before you go, as these tend to vary by season and special exhibitions.