The Harris

The Harris sits right in Preston's city centre, a striking Victorian building that's hard to miss once you know what you're looking for. It's an art gallery and museum rolled into one, housed in what used to be a private mansion, all red brick and substantial Victorian confidence.

Inside, you'll find rotating contemporary art exhibitions alongside displays covering Preston's industrial heritage. The ground floor galleries tend to be where the bigger shows live, while upstairs feels more intimate - the kind of space where you actually want to linger rather than rush through. There's genuine craftsmanship on display here, both in the building itself and in what's hung on the walls.

It's genuinely worth an afternoon if you're into art or local history. Don't expect the scale of somewhere like Manchester's Whitworth though - this is a proper regional collection that punches above its weight without pretending to be something it's not. Budget two to three hours, maybe longer if there's a major exhibition on.

Families with older kids will get something from it. The under-eights might find it a bit heavy going unless there's something specifically interactive running.

If you're staying at Brylea Caravan Park or Smithills View Campsite just outside Preston, The Harris makes an excellent rainy-day option. It's free to get in - you only pay if there's a special exhibition you want to see - which keeps the barrier nice and low. Open most days, but worth checking ahead before you head into town.