Face Carving

The Face Carving gallery sits just outside Harrogate and is exactly what it sounds like - a collection of carved wooden faces that range from the genuinely unsettling to oddly compelling. The work here has real craft to it, and you'll spend a good half-hour studying the detail if you're into that sort of thing. Not everyone will get it, though. My partner found it a bit mad.

Historians and folk-art enthusiasts will find more to chew on than casual visitors. If you're the type who stops at every sculpture park and enjoys seeing what regional artists are doing, this warrants the short drive from Harrogate town centre. Kids might be entertained for twenty minutes, depending on how old they are - the faces are striking enough to hold attention, though it's not interactive.

Bring a camera. The light through the trees works well here, especially in late afternoon. If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Rudding Holiday Park or Harrogate Caravan Park are both close - it's a manageable five-minute drive on a quiet day, which makes it a decent filler between bigger attractions. Combine it with a walk around Harrogate itself or a visit to Valley Gardens if you're making a proper afternoon of it.

Worth the detour if you're already in the area. Don't go out of your way for it alone.