Castle Fine Art, Nottingham

Castle Fine Art sits right in Nottingham city centre, and it's worth a proper look if you're into contemporary work. The gallery deals mainly in modern paintings and sculptures - the kind of place where you'll find established names alongside emerging artists. It's a working gallery rather than a stuffy museum, so the stock changes regularly and there's actual buying going on, which gives it a different energy to the usual tourist circuit.

You're looking at an hour or so if you browse properly, maybe less if you're just ducking in. The space is intimate without feeling cramped, and the staff actually know what they're talking about rather than just standing guard. Anyone with a genuine interest in contemporary art will get something out of it. Families with young kids might find it a bit dry unless they're already gallery-trained - there's no interactive stuff or anything designed to amuse under-tens.

Since it's city-centre Nottingham, you're well-positioned for a broader afternoon: the castle itself is walkable, and there's proper shopping and eating nearby. If you're basing yourself at one of the caravan parks just outside - Holme Pierrepont or the Caravan Park are both within a couple of miles - this works as a rainy-day or evening option without any messing about. Free admission is likely, though do check the website before you go as opening hours aren't always predictable for independent galleries.