Artcore

You'll find Artcore tucked into Derby's creative quarter, and it's genuinely worth a look if you're into contemporary work or want something a bit different from the usual family day out. It's an artist-led space with exhibitions that rotate through the year - nothing too precious about it, just proper creative energy. The sort of place where you might stumble across emerging local talent or stumble into something weird and wonderful.

They run workshops and events throughout the year, so it's not just a passive walk-round experience. Families can join in with making sessions if you time it right, though it's more oriented towards people who actively engage with art rather than those after a quick cultural tick-box. The actual layout is fairly compact - you're not going to need more than an hour or so unless something's really grabbed you.

If you're camped at Hill Farm, just four miles away, Artcore makes a decent half-day alternative when you fancy getting off site without travelling far. Derby itself has enough going on - the railway museum, the cathedral - so you could string together a proper cultural morning without feeling rushed. Check their website for what's on and whether there are any workshops running during your visit, as that'll determine if it's worth timing your trip around.