The Vallum Gallery - Institute of the Arts

The Vallum Gallery sits in Carlisle's arts quarter, housed in what feels like a proper creative space rather than some stuffy museum. It's the Institute of the Arts' main exhibition venue, and they rotate contemporary work through regularly - everything from painting and sculpture to installation pieces that make you think harder than you'd expect on a Tuesday afternoon.

You're looking at a couple of hours here maximum, though that depends entirely on what's on. If you're into modern art or wanting to drag your teenagers somewhere that doesn't feel like punishment, this works better than most galleries because the shows tend toward the experimental rather than the reverential. The space itself is intimate enough that you won't feel lost, but substantial enough that you get real work.

Admission details shift with their programming, so check ahead before you head into Carlisle from whichever park you're staying at. From Green Acres Caravan Park it's barely three miles, and Camelot is just under six, making either a proper base for exploring the city's cultural side without being too far from quieter countryside.

Worth the visit if you're already in Carlisle for other reasons, and genuinely interesting if contemporary art is your thing. Not a rainy-day time-killer though - you need actual engagement. The café situation is worth asking about when you ring ahead, as that can make the difference between a quick browse and a proper afternoon out.