Modern Art Oxford

The gallery sits right in Oxford city centre, which means you can roll straight out of the colleges and spires and into something properly contemporary. It's a refreshing jolt - white walls, high ceilings, and work that actually challenges rather than just hangs there looking historic.

You'll find rotating exhibitions across two floors, the sort of thing that changes every few months so there's genuine reason to go back. The space itself is well-designed without being pretentious. On my last visit they had everything from sculpture to video installations, and the kind of work that makes you want to argue about it afterwards - which is precisely what good art should do.

This appeals most to anyone tired of the medieval stuff. If your group includes teenagers or young adults who'd rather die than look at another portrait, this is your answer. Adults seeking something beyond the tourist trail will appreciate it too. You're looking at a couple of hours maximum, depending on what's on and how long you linger.

Location-wise, staying at Cedar Hollow Oxford or Valley Farm Campsite puts you within easy reach. Oxford itself is compact enough that walking from the parks into the city centre is manageable, though you'll want to check current opening hours and admission fees before you travel. It works brilliantly as a half-day outing slotted between college visits and a punt on the Cherwell.