Flower

You'll find this gallery tucked into York's creative corners, and it's a proper breath of fresh air if you're after contemporary art that doesn't take itself too seriously. Flower is exactly what it sounds like - a space dedicated to floral-inspired work, installations, and pieces that celebrate plants in all their messy, beautiful forms.

The exhibitions rotate, so what you'll see depends on when you visit, but the scale is intimate rather than grand. This suits it perfectly. You can work through it in an hour without feeling rushed, though if you're the type who reads every wall text and lingers over details, you'll easily spend longer. It's strong for anyone with a genuine interest in contemporary art or botanical themes - not so much a tickbox attraction as a proper gallery experience.

York itself has no shortage of galleries and museums, so Flower slots in well alongside the bigger hitters if you're planning a cultural afternoon. The nearby Hideaway at Baxby Manor is only a couple of miles out, making it an easy base if you're splitting time between the gallery scene and countryside walks.

Bring a notebook if you're inspired by what you see. The space tends to attract artists and creatives rather than casual browsers, which creates a nice atmosphere - no school parties, no noise, just people actually looking at things.