HOLLAND STREET - GENERAL STORE

The General Store on Holland Street in Mells has been converted into a proper little gallery space that feels more like wandering through someone's living room than a formal art venue. It's the kind of place where you might catch local painters, sculptors, or photographers showing their work - the sort of intimate setup where you can actually have a chat with the artists if they're about.

What appeals here depends entirely on what's on. There's no permanent collection to speak of, so it's very much a working gallery for the community and visiting creatives. You won't need more than half an hour unless you're genuinely drawn to the current exhibition. It's free to pop in and have a look, which is always appreciated.

This works well as a quiet detour when you're exploring Mells itself - a genuinely lovely village with proper character, the sort of place where you'll want to grab a coffee and wander about anyway. If you're staying at Glamping on the Hill just up the road, it's barely a walk at all. The gallery suits anyone who enjoys supporting local artists and indie spaces rather than the polished museum circuit. Families might find it a bit hit or miss depending on what's hanging, though younger kids could get bored quickly if abstract work is on the walls.

Check ahead before you visit - opening hours aren't always predictable, and you'll want to know what's actually showing. It's the sort of place that rewards turning up on spec during peak season, but you might find it closed on a random Tuesday afternoon.