Links Art Gallery

The Links Art Gallery sits right on Whitley Bay's seafront, and it's one of those places that surprises you with how seriously it takes itself. You walk in expecting maybe a small local affair, and instead find proper contemporary exhibitions spread across two floors - the kind of space that gets real artists excited about showing their work here.

It's free, which immediately makes it worth an hour of your time when you're staying at Parkdean Resorts Whitley Bay Holiday Park just down the road. The gallery focuses on contemporary art and craft, rotating exhibitions regularly, so there's genuine reason to visit twice if you're spending a week in the area. September to June tends to bring the stronger programming, though summer shows aren't without merit.

The seafront location is the real win. You can leave the gallery and walk straight onto the beach or grab a coffee knowing you've actually seen something of substance. It works brilliantly as a half-morning activity before heading to Old Hartley Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite's stretch of coast, or as a rainy-day shelter when the North Sea's being particularly moody.

Families with older kids will get more from it than those with toddlers - there's not much interactive stuff to keep under-tens entertained for long. But if you're into contemporary work at all, the fact it's completely free and right next to the coast makes it a genuine no-brainer. Check their website before you go though; exhibitions change, and occasionally they close for installation.