Gallery 45

Gallery 45 sits just outside Morpeth in a converted barn space that actually feels like someone's done it properly. The converted farm building gives the whole thing an unpretentious vibe - no white-cube sterility here, just real art in a real space.

It's a working arts centre run by practising artists, so you're looking at rotating exhibitions of contemporary work, mostly from regional makers. Paintings, prints, sculpture, craft - the sort of thing that changes enough to warrant a return visit if you're staying locally. The space itself is intimate rather than grand, which means it fills up quickly during busier shows but also means you can actually spend time with individual pieces without fighting crowds.

This works best for anyone who wants to support working artists and see what's happening in the North East art scene right now. Not a rainy-day kids' activity - they'd be bored inside twenty minutes. But for adults who care about contemporary work, it's worth the detour from Morpeth.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Woodland Chase Glamping is barely a mile away, Bockenfield and Felmoor both within easy striking distance - you could swing by on a quieter weekday morning when the work gets proper attention. Allow an hour, maybe ninety minutes if there's a show that really grabs you.

Check their website before you go. Opening hours aren't widely advertised, and you'll want to know what's on.