The Joinery

The Joinery sits right in the heart of Settle, a converted workshop space that's been given a proper new lease of life as a community arts centre. It's exactly the kind of place that makes a market town feel alive - local artists showing work, regular workshops, and enough going on that you'd be daft not to pop in while you're wandering round town.

What you'll actually find inside depends on when you visit, which is part of its charm. There's exhibition space, studio areas where you can sometimes watch artists at work, and they run courses in everything from printmaking to textiles. It's not a slick corporate operation - there's a real sense of people who actually give a toss about their craft. The building itself, with its industrial bones still showing, is worth seeing even if the current programme doesn't grab you.

It's strongest for anyone with a creative bent, really. Artists and makers will find it genuinely interesting; families might drop by if there's a workshop on. Kids won't get much out of it otherwise - it's not designed as entertainment. Allow an hour maximum if you're stopping by casually, longer if you're taking a class.

Settle's a cracking base for a Yorkshire break, and The Joinery slots in nicely on a day of exploring the market town. Peaks and Pods is just a few miles outside town if you're after somewhere to stay - decent spot for getting into the Dales proper. Check their website before you go to see what's actually on; sometimes it's buzzing, sometimes it's quieter.