Samuel Lister

The Samuel Lister gallery sits just outside Leeds, a proper showcase for contemporary art that punches above its weight in terms of what's on offer. It's the sort of place you'll stumble into expecting a quick look and end up staying longer than planned - the kind of gallery that actually engages you rather than leaving you wondering what the fuss was about.

Inside, you'll find rotating exhibitions that tend to focus on textile design, sculpture, and painting. Samuel Lister himself was a textile manufacturer, so there's a thread of industrial heritage running through the programme, though they're not stuck in the past about it. The space has real character without feeling pretentious, which is something many galleries fail at completely.

It's ideal if you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Crook Farm or Dobrudden are within spitting distance - and need something cultural to balance out the outdoor stuff. You're not going to spend four hours here unless you're doing the deep dive, but an hour or so hits the spot nicely, particularly if there's an exhibition that catches your eye.

Allowance made for the fact that opening hours and admission fees weren't readily available when checking, so ring ahead or check online before you visit. Worth building into a Leeds trip though, especially if you're staying at Moor Valley or one of the others just outside the city.