Attenborough Arts Centre

The Attenborough Arts Centre sits on the edge of Leicester, a working arts space that punches above its weight. It's part gallery, part workshop, part community hub - the sort of place that feels genuinely alive rather than sterile and institutional. You'll find contemporary exhibitions rotating through, usually with a strong emphasis on emerging artists and craft-based work. The building itself has character; it doesn't feel like a corporate box.

Who gets the most from it depends on your mood. Art enthusiasts will appreciate the serious curation and often experimental nature of the shows. Families with older kids - say, teenagers interested in art or design - can spend a productive hour or two. Younger children might lose interest quickly, to be honest. It's not a interactive playground space.

Admission is free, which is brilliant. You're looking at an hour or so to see a typical exhibition properly, longer if you're the type to read every wall text. The location works well if you're based at one of the parks nearby - Green Acres is closest at just over four miles, and Bradgate Park sits only a bit further out. Both are solid bases for a East Midlands caravan break.

The real draw is that it's unpretentious. No velvet ropes, no gift shop pushing overpriced merchandise. Just honest contemporary art in a place where people actually work. Perfect if you want something a touch different from the usual tourist circuit without venturing far from Leicester.