Lagoon

The Lagoon gallery sits just outside Peterborough and deserves more footfall than it probably gets. It's a contemporary art space with rotating exhibitions that genuinely surprise you - the kind of place where you walk in expecting nothing much and leave thinking about what you've seen for days afterwards.

The space itself is intimate without feeling cramped. You'll find everything from photography and painting to installation work and sculpture, though what's on depends entirely on their current programme. It's worth checking ahead online because the quality varies as it does with most small galleries, but when they get it right, it's worth the drive from Peterborough.

Plan on an hour, maybe ninety minutes if you're taking your time or if there's a particularly engaging show on. It works brilliantly as a half-day activity - you could easily pair it with a walk around Ferry Meadows Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite nearby, which has proper grounds and water features that keep families occupied. If you're staying at either of the local campsites, the Lagoon fills an afternoon slot nicely without requiring masses of commitment.

Families with older kids who've got even a vague interest in art will find it worth a look. Younger children might get restless pretty quickly though. The real draw is for anyone who appreciates contemporary work and doesn't mind supporting smaller independent spaces. Not groundbreaking, but solid, and honestly refreshing in a region where cultural attractions can feel a bit thin on the ground.