Westley Waterless

There's a gallery tucked away near Newmarket that catches people off guard - not because it's tucked in some remote corner, but because it exists at all in this corner of Cambridgeshire. Westley Waterless is the sort of place you stumble upon after a morning spent exploring the racing stables around town, and it makes for a proper diversion if you're staying at Piggles Retreat or HappenOak Treehouse nearby.

The gallery itself is a intimate space that focuses on contemporary and local work - nothing stuffy or overly academic about it. You're looking at rotating exhibitions that tend toward painting and sculpture, the kind of venue where artists actually talk about their pieces rather than leaving you to puzzle it out in silence. It's the right size to cover in forty minutes to an hour without feeling rushed, though if you're keen on art you could easily linger longer.

This works best for adults with a genuine interest in visual art rather than families with young kids in tow - it's not a 'keep them entertained' sort of stop. Admission details can be fuzzy, so ring ahead or check their current opening hours before you make the trip, especially in winter when smaller galleries sometimes keep odd schedules.

If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby parks, it slots neatly into a day that might include a stroll around Newmarket's High Street or a visit to the racing museum. Solo travellers and couples will get the most from it. It's worth knowing about, though not essential to your holiday.