Hb art gallery

HB Art Gallery sits in Leicester's creative quarter, and it's the sort of place you'll either love or walk straight past depending on what's on the walls when you visit. The space itself is modest - no grand atrium or marble floors - which means the work tends to speak for itself rather than getting drowned out by architectural ego.

What you get is contemporary art with a decent turnover of exhibitions. Local artists feature heavily, which gives it a genuine community feel rather than that sterile international-touring-show vibe. The staff actually know the work inside out, not just reading from a laminated card. It's the kind of gallery where you might spend forty minutes or two hours, depending entirely on what's caught your eye.

This works brilliantly if you're into visual art and want something unpretentious - no need to dress up or feel like you're being assessed by anyone. Kids might find it hit-and-miss depending on the exhibition; some shows engage younger visitors, others are entirely adult-focused.

If you're staying at Village Farm Getaway just outside Leicester, it's an easy trip into town. Pair it with a wander around the Leicester city centre galleries and you've got a decent cultural afternoon without the tourist trap feel. Check what's showing before you go - that's the bit that makes or breaks a visit to a place this size. Worth an hour if the exhibition catches your interest, but don't plan an entire day around it.