Nottingham Contemporary

You'll find yourself in a sleek, modern building right in the heart of Nottingham - a proper contrast to the medieval castle perched on the hill nearby. Nottingham Contemporary is a contemporary art gallery that takes itself seriously without the stuffiness you might expect. The space itself is worth a look: all clean lines and intelligent use of light, with galleries that actually flow rather than feel like a maze.

The exhibitions rotate, so what's on depends when you visit, but the gallery focuses on contemporary work across painting, sculpture, photography and installations. It's the sort of place where you might spend two hours absorbed or forty minutes and feel you've had your fill - depends entirely on what's showing and your tolerance for modern art. Serious art types will appreciate the curatorial approach; casual visitors might find certain shows more engaging than others.

For families with older kids interested in art and design, it's worth an afternoon. Younger children might struggle with the concept-heavy exhibitions unless something particularly visual is on display. It's free to enter, which removes the guilt factor if you duck out early.

If you're camping at Holme Pierrepont or one of the sites within a couple of miles, the gallery is a quick drive or bus ride away. Use it as a rainy-day option or combine it with a wander through Nottingham town centre - the castle, the lace market, and decent coffee shops give you enough to make a proper day of it. The gallery itself rarely demands more than a couple of hours, but that's fine. It's a solid addition to a Nottinghamshire trip, not the main event.