Grundy Art Gallery

The Grundy sits just inland from Blackpool's seafront madness, which means you can ditch the stag dos and arcades for an afternoon of actual culture without leaving town. It's a proper contemporary art space - rotating exhibitions, the kind of stuff that makes you think or occasionally scratches your head wondering if you're missing something. The building itself won't blow your mind architecturally, but that's fine because the work inside is where the attention should be.

You'll find it appeals mainly to adults with an interest in modern and contemporary art, though family-friendly exhibitions do crop up depending on what's on. Allow a solid hour to two hours depending on how deep you want to go with each piece. Admission is free, which is always welcome, and it's the sort of place that works brilliantly as a half-day activity rather than an all-day commitment.

If you're based at Newton Hall or Haven Marton Mere - both just a couple of miles away - the Grundy makes a genuinely decent alternative to yet another lap of the Blackpool prom. Pair it with a walk along the quieter bits of the seafront and you've got a proper balanced day. Check their website before you go because the exhibitions rotate regularly and opening hours can shift seasonally. Worth the detour if you're tired of the theme parks.