Hauser and Wirth Somerset

Sometimes I lament how infrequently I make it to London to visit shows and galleries and yet frequently I have to remind myself that even when I worked for Tate I managed to see an astoundingly small amount of art. So it was with joy that we went to check out Hauser and Wirth's latest gallery, on our doorstep in Bruton.

Brutopia, as it is affectionately known buy some locals, has long been a creative Somerset haven but has recently become firmly embedded on the London exodus list for families wanting to chuck in the rat race for a slower pace of life and green valley vistas a-plenty. Thanks to Hauser and Wirth, Bruton now also joins Zurich, New York and London on the list of destinations for those seeking contemporary art at its best and, most pleasingly,  accessible. Which is amazing coming from the couple dubed the 'power couple' of contemporary art, even if they do only live around the corner.

In their own words, Hauser and Wirth Somerset is "a pioneering world-class gallery and multi-purpose arts centre, which acts as a destination for experiencing art, architecture and the remarkable Somerset landscape through new and innovative exhibitions of contemporary art". The farm buildings that the five galleries, learning space, shop, bar, restaurant and library inhabit were rescued from redevelopment by H&W and have indeed been turned into a contemporary art haven. The conversion is almost as good as the art although with Louise Bourgeois, Martin Creed, Mark Wallinger and Phyllida Barlow amongst the artists that they represent the art is pretty spectacular too.

This first visit was a fleeting one as we arrived just before closing time but, once the Piet Oudolf meadow is fully open in September, we will definitely be back for more. Despite the jolly hockey sticks crowd (one friend commented that the people there seemed to think it was a National Trust property rather than  contemporary art gallery) this is an amazing asset and will undoubtedly become a firm favourite in my fair weather art viewing. Everything is indeed going to be alright.