Mary Laurent Gallery, Fashion & Art Exhibition House, chesterfield

The Mary Laurent Gallery sits in Chesterfield as a proper fashion and art space - think less stuffy museum, more working exhibition house where you can actually see how designers think. It's the sort of place that rewards a couple of hours if you're genuinely interested in textiles, design history, or contemporary art installation. You'll see everything from vintage couture to modern experimental pieces, depending on what's on when you visit.

It works best for people who care about how clothes are made and why they matter as art. If your idea of a gallery day is wandering through without a clue what you're looking at, you'll be bored within twenty minutes. Fashion students and designers, though? They'll be taking notes.

Based near Chesterfield town centre, it's a decent stop if you're in the area - particularly if you're parked up at one of the nearby parks like Poolsbrook Country Park or Waleswood. Rother Valley Country Park and Riverside are also within striking distance if you're doing a wider tour of South Yorkshire. The gallery slots neatly between outdoor walking and proper cultural stuff, so you're not choosing between the two.

I'd check opening hours and admission before heading over - these smaller galleries can be temperamental with their schedules. Ring ahead. Worth a look if fashion and art are your thing, but don't rearrange your whole trip around it.