Janus Chairs

There's a proper art gallery tucked away near Hexham that most people driving through Northumberland completely miss. Janus Chairs is exactly what it sounds like - a space dedicated to chairs as art objects, exploring how something as everyday as seating becomes something worth staring at for twenty minutes. The work here is contemporary and thoughtful rather than the sort of gallery that leaves you wondering why a blank canvas costs forty grand.

It's the kind of place that appeals to anyone with even a passing interest in design, craftsmanship, or how artists see the world differently. Families with teenagers might click with it; younger kids will probably get bored after half an hour unless they're the sort who actually engage with art rather than run around. Expect to spend an hour here without feeling rushed.

If you're staying at one of the Kielder parks nearby - Kielder Waterside and Lodges or Landal Kielder Waterside are both excellent and barely a couple of miles away - this makes a decent half-day outing. The area around Hexham has enough going on that you won't be stuck for things to do, but Janus Chairs is worth the detour if contemporary art doesn't make you want to lie down in a dark room.

Check their website or ring ahead before you go - opening hours can be a bit variable, and admission details aren't always clearly published online.