Oriel Y Castell

The gallery sits right in Caernarfon, practically on your doorstep if you're staying at any of the nearby parks like Coed Helen or Glan Gwna. Oriel Y Castell is an art space that punches above its weight for a small Welsh town - local and contemporary work rotates through, so what's on changes regularly. You'll find everything from painting and sculpture to photography and installations, often with a distinctly Welsh angle without feeling heavy-handed about it.

It's the sort of place where you can spend anything from 30 minutes to two hours depending on what's exhibiting. Most visitors are adults with genuine interest in art, though the space doesn't feel forbidding - families with older kids exploring Caernarfon will find it a decent rainy-day option. The real draw is how it reflects what's actually happening in Welsh creative practice right now, rather than serving up tourist-friendly folk art.

Parking in Caernarfon can be tight, but the gallery's central location means you can easily combine it with the castle or a wander through town. If you're based at Riverside Camping or any of the parks within walking distance, it's worth checking their current exhibition before you pitch up - some shows are genuinely excellent, others a bit niche. Phone ahead or check locally for opening hours and admission charges, as these aren't always consistent.