Love it gallery

The Love it gallery sits in Skelmersdale, a town that's had its share of ups and downs over the years. It's a contemporary art space that takes itself seriously without the stuffiness you sometimes get in galleries - the kind of place where you can actually enjoy what you're looking at without feeling like you need an art history degree to understand it.

The gallery focuses on work by emerging and established artists, and the exhibitions rotate regularly, so there's always something different on the walls. It's intimate rather than sprawling, which means you can walk through in a reasonable amount of time without feeling rushed or fatigued. The space itself is clean and well-lit, and the staff know their stuff if you want to chat about the work on display.

This works well for anyone who appreciates contemporary art but isn't precious about it - families with older kids who might have an interest will find it engaging, and it's the sort of place serious art enthusiasts will want to visit when they're in the area. You're looking at a good hour if you want to really absorb what's there, though you can dip in and out in half that time.

If you're staying at The Secret Garden Glamping nearby, it's an easy trip into town and worth combining with a wander around Skelmersdale's other bits. Don't expect world-class exhibitions, but do expect something genuinely interesting and worth your time.