Bunker Art Studio

An old Second World War bunker turned into a working art studio - that's the premise, and it absolutely delivers. Located just outside Christchurch in Dorset, this place is genuinely different from your standard gallery. You're walking into actual wartime architecture, all low ceilings and thick concrete walls, then encountering contemporary art installations and studio spaces where artists are often working. It's an odd collision that somehow works.

The whole thing is free, which feels like a steal given what you're getting. Allow an hour or so to properly nose around - longer if you catch an artist in residence and fancy a chat. It's the sort of place that gets under your skin precisely because it doesn't feel polished or commercial. Families with older kids will find it genuinely interesting rather than patronising. Younger children might find it a bit claustrophobic and dark, to be honest.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Meadowbank Holidays is closest at just over two miles - it's easily worth a detour on an afternoon. The surrounding area around Christchurch is fairly quiet and unassuming, which rather suits the bunker's low-key vibe. Don't expect flashy opening hours or a café; this is deliberately grassroots stuff. Go in without huge expectations and you'll probably leave impressed by the sheer creativity on display in such an unlikely setting.