Water Vole

This gallery sits in Shildon, a town better known for its railway heritage than contemporary art, which makes Water Vole a bit of a pleasant surprise. It's a small, independent space that punches above its weight - the kind of place where you might stumble upon work from emerging artists and find yourself genuinely engaged rather than going through the motions.

The space focuses on painting, sculpture and mixed media, with exhibitions rotating regularly. It's intimate rather than grand, which means you won't be trudging through endless corridors. Most people spend 45 minutes to an hour here, which is about right for the scale of what's on offer. The staff are knowledgeable without being precious about things, which is refreshing.

You'll get the most out of it if you actually care about contemporary work. It's not a crowd-pleaser sort of space - there's nothing twee or decorative going on. Families with teenagers interested in art might find it worthwhile; younger children will likely get bored quickly. It works well as part of a broader Shildon visit, especially if you're heading to the railway museum nearby.

If you're staying at Eden Grange Glamping just up the road, it's worth checking what's on before you book. Ring ahead to confirm opening hours and admission - details aren't easy to come by online. On a decent afternoon it's a decent break from typical tourist fare.