Studio Eleven

Walking into Studio Eleven near Beverley is a proper jolt away from the usual gallery experience. This is a working artist's space, not some hushed marble tomb, which means you're genuinely close to where things get made. The studio shifts its focus fairly regularly - exhibitions change, artists rotate through - so what you'll see depends entirely on when you visit.

The appeal here is immediate if you care about contemporary work and don't mind something raw and unpolished. You get a real sense of process, of artists actually thinking through their ideas on the wall rather than presenting some finished, glossy conclusion. It's the kind of place where a conversation with whoever's there might reveal more than any wall text could.

For families, it depends on the kids' patience with modern art. Under tens will likely lose interest in twenty minutes. Serious art types, though - the sort who'd rather spend an hour in a studio than a day in a museum - will find it worthwhile.

As with most independent artist spaces, hours aren't always set in stone, so best to ring ahead or check online before making the trip from Beverley. It's free to have a look, which is refreshing.

If you're camping at Manor Farm just down the road, this makes an easy afternoon detour, though don't plan your whole day around it. Pair it with exploring Beverley itself - the minster alone justifies the visit.