The Base, Greenham

The Base sits on the grounds of Greenham Common, just outside Newbury, in a converted RAF control tower that's been transformed into a contemporary art space. It's an unusual setting for a gallery - you're literally walking through Cold War history while viewing modern work. The building itself is the draw as much as what's inside: narrow concrete corridors, original fixtures, that particular institutional smell that takes you straight back to 1960s military operations.

The exhibitions rotate, so what's on depends when you visit, but the curators seem to favour work that engages with the site's complicated past. Peace activists occupied Greenham Common for years protesting nuclear weapons, and that tension between military hardware and artistic rebellion runs through everything here. It's cerebral rather than showy - expect to think, not just look.

History buffs will get the most from it. Kids might find the building fascinating for twenty minutes, then get restless. Adults who like their art with context will spend a proper couple of hours here. Check their website for current exhibitions before you go - some are stronger than others. Entry details vary by show.

If you're camping at Bishops Green Farm or Cherry Bird Country Park nearby, this makes a solid half-day detour. It's close enough to Newbury for a town-and-gallery combo, and far enough out that you feel like you've discovered something. Worth the drive if contemporary art appeals to you; skip it if you're after traditional galleries.