PETER MARTIN GALLERY

The Peter Martin Gallery sits within striking distance of Stow-on-the-Wold, and it's the kind of place that rewards a casual afternoon rather than demanding a special trip. The gallery focuses on contemporary work, with rotating exhibitions that lean towards painting and mixed media - exactly what you'd hope to stumble across when you've got time between the honeypots of the Cotswolds.

It's best suited to art types rather than fidgety kids, though older teenagers with an eye for colour won't be bored. The space itself has that unpretentious feel typical of smaller regional galleries - no velvet ropes, no pretence, just art on walls and reasonable prices on the work. You'll spend an hour here maximum, which actually suits the area perfectly.

If you're based at one of the nearby glamping spots - Cotswolds Meadow is genuinely lovely, and Bluewood Lodges gets consistently excellent reviews - the gallery makes an easy diversion before heading into Stow for lunch or a browse around the antique shops. Don't go out of your way specifically, but if you're already in the village and the weather turns, or you fancy something quieter than another Cotswolds tea room, it's worth poking your head in. Ring ahead first though - opening hours can be patchy at smaller galleries, and you'll want to confirm they're actually open before making the detour.