Fiddlers Green

The gallery sits just off the main drag in Whitley Bay, a spot you'd probably walk past without noticing if you weren't looking for it. Inside, it's surprisingly spacious - white walls, decent light, the kind of space where art actually breathes rather than gets crammed in. They show contemporary work mostly, rotating exhibitions that lean towards local and regional artists, which means you're getting a proper sense of what's happening in North East creative circles rather than the same touring shows you'd see elsewhere.

It's worth an hour if you're genuinely interested in art. Kids will get restless unless they're the type who actually engage with galleries, so don't drag reluctant teenagers here expecting them to suddenly develop culture. Families staying at Parkdean Resorts Whitley Bay Holiday Park - just four miles away - could easily slip in on a rainy afternoon between beach trips. If you're camping at Old Hartley, it's a pleasant drive to make the effort worthwhile.

Admission details aren't readily available online, which is frustrating, but most regional galleries like this are either free or charge a couple of quid. Best thing is to ring ahead or just turn up - Whitley Bay's small enough that finding it won't be a mission. The town itself has decent cafes and the seafront's within walking distance, so you could stretch a gallery visit into a proper outing rather than a quick stop. It's not the sort of place that'll change your life, but it's genuine and unpretentious, which counts for something.