Once Upon a Time

The gallery sits in Stanley, a former mining town that's quietly reinventing itself. Once Upon a Time is a small but genuinely engaging space focused on children's illustration and storytelling - the sort of place that makes you remember why picture books mattered to you as a kid.

You'll find original artwork, interactive displays, and usually a rotating programme of exhibitions tied to classic and contemporary children's literature. It's not sprawling, which is actually its strength. You can work through it properly in an hour without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. The staff know their stuff and aren't the type to bore you with unnecessary waffle.

This works best for families with children aged roughly 4-10, though adults who care about illustration or design will find plenty to appreciate. Older kids might lose interest quicker unless there's a particular exhibition on that catches them. It's absolutely the kind of place you'd combine with a longer Stanley heritage walk rather than anchor a whole day around.

Since Beamish Glamping is only six miles away, it pairs nicely with a wider exploration of the area - Beamish Museum itself is worth a good half-day, and the surrounding countryside has decent walking. Come here on a rainy morning, let the kids spend time with the interactive bits, then head out to the open air museum when the weather lifts.

Worth the detour if you're in the region with young children. Less so if you're travelling specifically to see it.