Cross Street Arts

Cross Street Arts sits in Lathom, a proper working gallery space rather than one of those sterile white-box affairs. What you're getting here is genuine contemporary art - the kind where artists actually use the building to make work, not just show it off. The setup feels lived-in: you'll wander through studios, see pieces in progress, and if you're lucky, catch someone in the middle of creating something.

It's ideal for anyone who gets a kick out of meeting the people behind the work. Kids might find it a bit slow unless they're already into art, but if yours are the creative type, watching artists work beats any gift shop experience. Adult visitors with a serious interest in contemporary practice will have a field day - you can actually talk to makers here, which you rarely get at bigger galleries.

The whole thing takes about an hour if you're being thorough, though you could dash round in half that. There's no word on admission fees from what I could find, so ring ahead to check what's on and whether there's a charge - worth a quick call rather than a wasted journey. Lathom's a small place, so don't expect huge opening hours either.

If you're staying at The Secret Garden Glamping nearby, this makes a solid rainy-day option or a break from park activities. It's close enough for a morning or afternoon visit without eating into your day. The work changes with exhibitions, so go in with an open mind rather than expecting anything specific.