Leeds Central Library

The moment you walk into Leeds Central Library, you notice the light. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the place with natural brightness, and the whole building feels more like a modern civic space than a hushed temple of books. It opened in 2014, replacing the Victorian library that stood here for over a century, and it's genuinely good - not in that trying-too-hard way, but in a way that makes you want to stick around.

The library itself is free to enter and wander. There are seven floors packed with the usual suspects - fiction, reference, children's areas - but what actually draws people back is the atmosphere. The top floor has a proper café with views across Leeds, and the architecture is clean without being cold. You can easily spend two hours here without feeling you've overstayed, though most visitors pop in for 45 minutes to an hour.

It works brilliantly for families with children who want something free and indoors on a wet Yorkshire afternoon. History buffs might dig the local studies collection, though don't expect major revelations. If you're based at Glenfield Caravan Park or Moor Lodge, both within six miles, this is a solid rainy-day option that beats another hour in the caravan.

Opening hours are generous on weekdays - they stay open until 8pm Monday through Thursday - so you can slot it in around other plans. Sunday's a no-go, which is a bit daft, but worth knowing.