The Attic

Tucked away in Newtownards, The Attic is a contemporary art gallery that punches above its weight for a town of this size. It's the sort of place that catches you off guard - you're wandering the high street and suddenly there's proper artwork on the walls, the kind that makes you stop and actually look rather than drift past.

The space itself is intimate, which works in its favour. There's no overwhelming scale to contend with, just good-quality contemporary pieces and rotating exhibitions that tend towards local and emerging artists. If you're into art, it's worth an hour of your time. If you're not particularly fussed, there's enough novelty to keep you engaged without feeling obligatory.

It works well as a pit stop during a caravan holiday based at Springvale or Sandycove - both within a few miles of Newtownards town centre. Pop in while you're grabbing lunch or doing the shops. The real draw for families isn't necessarily the art itself but the fact that it breaks up the coastal routine nicely. Teenagers who've got bored of beaches might surprise you here.

Admission details are a bit unclear from what I could find, so ring ahead before you head in. Newtownards isn't a sprawling cultural hub, which is exactly why The Attic matters - it gives the town a bit of creative energy that smaller places often lack.