Queen Victoria

Oxford's Queen Victoria gallery sits tucked away from the main tourist drag, and that's rather the point. This is where locals go when they want actual art rather than another punt down the Cherwell. The space itself is modest - no cathedral-sized rooms or velvet ropes - but the work on display tends to be thoughtfully curated, rotating between contemporary pieces and occasionally some historical material that reminds you why Oxford's been an artistic hub for centuries.

It's the sort of place that rewards a proper look rather than a quick march through. Art students use it as a study space. Older visitors appreciate the smaller scale - you won't be shuffled through with crowds. If you're staying at Durham Leys Farm Caravan Site or Bablock Hythe, both within easy reach of central Oxford, this fills a couple of hours nicely on an afternoon when the weather turns or you fancy something quieter than the colleges and museums.

Families with teenagers interested in art will find it genuinely engaging. Younger kids might lose patience after thirty minutes. It's free entry, which is the clincher really - you can pop in on a whim without committing to a £15 ticket. Check opening hours before you go though, as smaller galleries can be temperamental with their schedules. Worth combining with a wander through Christchurch Meadow or a browse of the bookshops if you're already in town.