Bernie Grant Arts Centre

The Bernie Grant Arts Centre sits in Tottenham, just north of central London, and it's a proper working arts venue rather than a museum you tick off. Named after the late community activist and MP Bernie Grant, it programmes theatre, dance, film and visual art with a focus on Black British and global work - the sort of programming you won't find everywhere.

What you actually get is a compact, friendly space with a theatre, gallery and café. On any given week there might be a contemporary dance piece, a touring theatre company, or an exhibition by emerging artists. The vibe is unpretentious and genuinely community-focused, which means it attracts locals rather than coach parties. You're looking at anything from two hours if you catch a film or quick exhibition, up to an evening if there's a performance worth your time.

It's not free - ticket prices vary by event - but worth checking their programme online before you visit. For families, it depends entirely on what's on; some shows work brilliantly with kids, others are strictly adult fare. If you're staying at Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park in Edmonton, barely half an hour away, you could easily pop in for an evening performance rather than treating it as a full-day outing.

Honestly, only visit if something in the programme catches your eye. It's not a destination attraction, but if you're in North London and there's a show you fancy, it's worth the trip. The area around Tottenham is nothing special visually, so plan it as part of a wider London experience rather than a standalone draw.