Headrow Gallery

The Headrow Gallery sits right in the heart of Leeds city centre, occupying a prime slice of one of Yorkshire's grandest Victorian streets. You're looking at a proper art space that punches above its weight - contemporary exhibitions rotating regularly, with the kind of work that makes you stand and think rather than just walk through snapping photos.

What strikes you immediately is the scale of the place. It's not vast, which means you won't spend three hours wandering aimlessly, but it's substantial enough that there's always something worthwhile on the walls. The gallery tends toward modern and contemporary pieces, though it's worth checking what's showing before you visit. If you're into visual art at all, this is absolutely worth an hour of your time.

For families with older kids or teenagers interested in art, it's ideal - younger children might lose interest fairly quickly. Serious art types will appreciate the quality of curation; casual visitors could find it either brilliant or a bit too conceptual depending on the exhibition.

Based in Leeds proper, it's perfectly placed if you're using one of the nearby caravan parks - Glenfield, Moor Lodge, or Haighfield are all within a few miles and make decent bases for exploring the city. Pop in after lunch, spend an hour, then head for the galleries and cafes that cluster around the city centre. No need to plan an entire day around it, but definitely don't skip it if you're passing through.