The Shoosmith Gallery

The Shoosmith Gallery sits quietly in Northampton, a modest art space that deserves a bit more footfall than it probably gets. It's the sort of place you'll stumble upon if you're exploring the town centre properly - the kind of gallery that shows contemporary work and local artists rather than trying to be something it isn't.

Inside you'll find rotating exhibitions across a compact space. The work on display ranges from painting and sculpture to photography and mixed media, depending on what's showing during your visit. It's intimate rather than grand, which means you won't need hours to see everything - forty minutes to an hour is realistic, though enthusiasts will linger longer over pieces that catch them.

This is proper territory for art lovers and anyone who actually wants to engage with creative work rather than just tick boxes. If you're dragging reluctant teenagers around, they'll be restless within twenty minutes. But families with younger kids interested in making or looking at art will find it accessible and unpretentious.

A few miles south, Billing Aquadrome and Riverview Park offer caravan pitches if you're basing yourself in the area for a longer stay. The gallery pairs well with a Northampton town centre wander - there's enough here to make a proper afternoon of it when you combine it with lunch and the shops nearby. No need to make a special journey from miles away, but if you're already in town, it's well worth twenty minutes of your time.