Lucifer

You won't find Lucifer listed in most Cambridge tourist guides, which is precisely why it's worth seeking out. This contemporary gallery sits on the eastern edge of the city, away from the colleges and punting crowds, and it's refreshingly unpretentious about what it does - showing work from emerging and established artists without the stuffiness you might expect from the area.

The space itself is intimate rather than grand. You're looking at rotating exhibitions that tend toward the experimental side of things - installations, mixed media, photography that makes you actually stop and think rather than glide past. It's the sort of place where you'll spend an hour properly, not just tick a box.

This works best for anyone who's already done the standard Cambridge circuit and wants something with genuine edge. Art students will appreciate it. So will anyone tired of the twee factor that can creep into Cambridge tourism. Families with young kids probably won't get much from it unless the current show happens to grab them.

If you're staying at Lodeside Glamping or Fen Meadows - both excellent bases a short drive from the city - you could easily slot this in as a proper alternative to the Fitzwilliam Museum, especially on a quiet afternoon. Check ahead for opening times and what's on, as galleries like this often shift their schedules with exhibitions.