The Hawthorn Gallery

The Hawthorn Gallery sits in Greenfield, a modest Lancashire town that doesn't shout about itself. It's a working artist space - the kind of place where you might actually bump into someone creating rather than just viewing finished work behind velvet ropes. The gallery focuses on contemporary work from regional artists, which means the stock rotates regularly and you're unlikely to see the same exhibitions twice running.

What you get here depends entirely on what's on. Some months it's painting and sculpture, other times you'll find textiles or mixed media installations. It's small enough that you can see everything in 45 minutes without rushing, which suits a rainy afternoon in Lancashire perfectly. There's a genuine community feel - local artists showing local work, not London-centric gallery politics.

History buffs won't find much here, but emerging artists and anyone interested in regional contemporary work will find it worth a look. Families with younger kids might find it a bit dry unless there's a hands-on workshop running. The real advantage? It's free to browse, and you won't find the crowds that plague bigger galleries.

If you're based at Dovestone Holiday Park - just 4.5 miles away - it makes a convenient stop if the weather turns. Pair it with walks around the surrounding moorland or a visit to nearby Oldham, and it slots nicely into a week exploring Lancashire's industrial heritage and countryside.