Claire Baxter Gallery

You'll find Claire Baxter's work tucked into Knaresborough, that rather lovely market town perched above the River Nidd. Her gallery showcases contemporary art - the kind that makes you want to stand there for a proper look rather than breeze through in five minutes. I spent a good hour wandering around, which surprised me; I'd not expected to be that drawn in.

The space itself is intimate. No pretension, no awkward silences like some galleries manage. Her pieces lean toward abstract and figurative work, and there's a real sense of how she's developed things over time. It's the sort of place where you can actually chat to staff who know what they're talking about, rather than feeling like you're interrupting someone.

This works brilliantly if you're into contemporary art and want something beyond the big regional galleries. It's not a half-hour tick-box either - allow at least an hour if you're going to engage properly. Kids might find it a bit slow unless they're already gallery-savvy.

As a pit stop during a park holiday around here, it slots in perfectly between wandering Knaresborough's high street and heading back to base. The Knaresborough Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite is just up the road, and Harrogate Caravan Park's barely two miles away if you're staying in that direction. Worth factoring in on a rainy afternoon, or if you need a break from the outdoors.