Mr.Sly Artist

Street art in Durham city centre has a proper character all of its own, and Mr.Sly Artist's work is among the most recognisable pieces you'll spot while wandering about. His murals carry a distinctive style - bold, often thought-provoking, and genuinely worth hunting down if you've got an eye for that sort of thing.

The appeal here is straightforward: you're looking at contemporary art in situ, which means no gallery fees, no opening hours to worry about, and the genuine grit of seeing it where it was meant to be seen. How long you spend depends on you - some folks grab a photo and move on, while others could easily spend an hour tracking down different pieces across the city.

Families with older kids and art enthusiasts will get the most from this. Younger children might lose interest quickly unless you turn it into a treasure hunt of sorts. The real draw is combining it with Durham's other attractions - the cathedral, the river walks - rather than making Mr.Sly the sole reason for a visit.

If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks like Durham Grange or Finchale Abbey, the city centre is only a short drive away. Pop into town, have a wander, spot what you can find. It's free, it's interesting, and it takes advantage of being right there. Worth an afternoon if you're in the area, though don't go expecting a formal exhibition space or curated experience. This is street art on street art's own terms.