Norman Rea Art Gallery

The Norman Rea Art Gallery sits in York, and it's one of those places that rewards a quiet afternoon rather than a rushed visit. Free entry means there's no guilt about lingering over work that catches your eye, which is rather nice. The gallery rotates exhibitions regularly, so what's on the walls shifts throughout the year - worth checking what's showing before you go, as it'll determine whether it's a ten-minute stop or a proper reason to spend an hour or two in the city.

York's got plenty of art venues, but this one operates at a different pace from the bigger museums. You'll find it appeals most to people who actually care about contemporary work and want to see what local and regional artists are producing rather than the same blockbuster touring shows. If you're at Wagtail Park or Nurseries Caravan Park - both solid options within a few miles - this makes a sensible wet-weather plan or a cultural breather between outdoor activities.

The free admission is genuinely helpful when you're on a caravan holiday and budgeting for extras. Allow 45 minutes to an hour unless you're really into the current exhibition, in which case you might stretch it longer. The gallery's small enough that you won't feel pressured to race through, but big enough that you won't feel you've seen everything in ten minutes. Not a must-do, but if you're in York anyway - and you probably will be at some point during a park holiday - it's well worth the walk.