Newark Town Hall Museum and Art Gallery

The Town Hall sits right in Newark's market square, a proper Victorian statement in red brick that you can't miss. Inside, it's a surprisingly generous collection of local art and social history - the sort of place where you'll find everything from medieval pottery shards to paintings by artists nobody's heard of outside Nottinghamshire, which is precisely what makes it interesting.

You're looking at maybe ninety minutes here, tops, unless you're genuinely into regional decorative arts or the social history of a Georgian market town. The museum does its job well without pretension - it tells Newark's story straightforwardly, from its medieval importance right through to the industrial era. There's enough to occupy a curious mind, but it won't keep restless teenagers engaged for long.

Families get something out of it, particularly if you've got kids old enough to read properly. The building itself, with its grand staircase and original features, is worth a look even if the collections don't sing to you. Walkers and history types will appreciate it more - it's an easy stop between exploring the castle ruins and wandering the town centre.

If you're based at one of the glamping spots nearby - BrackenXcapes, Wigwam Holidays Orchard Stables, or Southwell Retreat are all within five miles - this is worth a morning visit before heading out for a proper walk along the river or into the countryside. Free or paid, it doesn't matter much; the real value is having something solid to do on a rainy afternoon in Newark.