Friargate Theatre

The Friargate Theatre sits in York's medieval street, housed in a converted Georgian building that wouldn't look out of place in a period drama. It's the home of Riding Lights, a theatre company that's been producing everything from classic plays to new work since 1969 - so they know what they're doing. The space itself is intimate, the kind of venue where you actually feel the performance rather than just watch it from a distance.

This is proper theatre for theatre people, really. If you're into live performance - whether that's Shakespeare, contemporary pieces, or adaptations - you'll find something to scratch that itch. The programming leans towards intelligent stuff without being pretentious about it. Families with older kids who can sit still for two hours will get on fine, but it's not a children's theatre as such. The real draw here is that it's small enough to feel special but professional enough that you're seeing proper actors doing proper work.

York itself is worth at least a day's wandering anyway - the Minster, the city walls, the river walks. If you're staying at Nurseries Caravan Park or Wagtail Park nearby, catching an evening show at Friargate gives you a reason to head into the city centre beyond just the usual tourist circuit. Check the website for what's on and book ahead - these small venues fill up. Most performances run around two hours, so factor in time for a pint before or after in one of York's decent pubs.