Babylon ARTS

You'll find Babylon ARTS tucked away in Ely, a gallery that punches well above its weight for a small cathedral city. It's a contemporary art space that takes itself seriously without being precious about it - the kind of place where you might stumble into an exhibition that actually makes you stop and think rather than shuffle past in twenty minutes.

The gallery showcases rotating exhibitions across its spaces, leaning towards contemporary work with a particular eye for emerging artists and community projects. You're looking at proper gallery credentials here, but the atmosphere stays friendly and unpretentious. Most people spend between an hour and ninety minutes depending on what's on, though if there's an installation piece you find yourself drawn to, you could happily linger longer.

It's free to get in, which removes any pressure to feel you've got your money's worth. Opening Tuesday to Sunday from noon until four, though do check ahead in case there's a quiet period or special closure. The space works well for anyone with a genuine interest in contemporary art - families with older kids who can engage with what's on show, rather than toddlers needing entertainment.

If you're based at any of the caravan parks nearby - Hatters Meadows and Heatherbield Lodge are both within ten minutes' drive - it makes a cracking rainy-day option or a cultural counterbalance to outdoor park activities. Ely itself is worth a wander before or after, with the cathedral dominating the skyline. The gallery sits comfortably within a broader day out rather than being a standalone destination, which is exactly what it should be.