The Spanish Gallery

Art with a Spanish accent tucked away in Bishop Auckland's town centre - that's The Spanish Gallery. It's a modest but genuine space dedicated to Spanish art and culture, the sort of place you'd stumble upon while wandering between the market square and the station. The collection includes paintings, sculptures and occasional rotating exhibitions focused on Spanish and Latin American work.

It's not a sprawling institution like the big regional galleries. What it does offer is something more personal - a chance to engage with art from Spain and beyond without the crowds you'd face in Newcastle or Durham. The space itself is intimate, which means you can work through it properly in under an hour. History enthusiasts and art lovers will get the most from a visit; families with very young children might find it a bit low-key for their needs.

If you're based at one of the nearby caravan or glamping sites - The Gables Pod Camping sits just 1.7 miles away, while Eden Grange and Country Glamping are all within four miles - The Spanish Gallery makes a worthwhile wet-day outing. Pair it with a proper walk around Bishop Auckland itself, where you'll find decent pubs and the remains of the bishop's palace to explore.

Before you visit, do ring ahead or check their website for current opening hours and admission charges, as these can shift seasonally. It's the kind of place worth planning around rather than turning up to on spec.