The Signaler

The Signaler is a contemporary art gallery tucked away in Leicestershire, just outside Loughborough. It's the kind of space that takes a bit of finding, which seems rather fitting for a place dedicated to modern visual work. The gallery itself focuses on emerging and established artists, with a rotating programme of exhibitions that shift throughout the year.

Inside, you'll find installations, paintings, sculpture and mixed media pieces - the exact mix depends on when you visit, so it's worth checking ahead. It's not a massive space, which means you can move through thoughtfully without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. The work tends toward the contemporary and conceptual rather than purely decorative, so it appeals most to people who actually engage with art rather than simply pass through for the photos.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Proctors Park is closest at under three miles away - it makes a decent half-day stop. You could combine it with a walk around Bradgate Park, which sits about six miles out and offers proper countryside with rather better-known appeal. Allow an hour or so here; two if there's a particularly strong exhibition on.

The main thing to check before you go is their opening hours and what's currently showing. It's the kind of venue that operates to its own rhythm rather than standard tourist hours. Worth the detour if contemporary art is your thing; less essential if you're looking for quick crowd-pleasers.