Sixteen Gallery

If contemporary art interests you, this is a relaxed space where you can comfortably spend a couple of hours looking around. The gallery changes its exhibitions regularly, typically featuring work by artists based in the area alongside handmade pieces that give you a real sense of what's being made locally right now. You can wander through at your own speed without feeling rushed or overwhelmed by crowds, which makes for a refreshing experience compared to larger, busier galleries elsewhere.

Charlton Kings itself has a pleasant, settled character with a modest range of independent shops and cafes nearby, so combining a gallery visit with a coffee or a look around the local area is straightforward. This location works particularly well if you're staying in Cheltenham and want something more low-key, or if you're using Cheltenham as your base while exploring some of the smaller villages dotted throughout the Cotswolds. What makes Sixteen Gallery distinctive is that it genuinely reflects what local artists and makers are creating rather than curating work for a wider tourist audience. It's the kind of place where you get a real window into the area's creative life rather than a polished, filtered version of it.