Wild & Free Gallery

The Wild & Free Gallery sits just back from Whitley Bay's seafront, and it's the sort of place that catches you off guard if you're not looking for it. Walk in expecting another tired seaside attraction, and you'll find yourself genuinely engaged with what's actually on the walls. It's a working gallery space - the kind where artists actually show up, talk about their work, and don't treat visitors like they've wandered into a museum by accident.

The space itself is intimate rather than grand, which works in its favour. You're looking at contemporary art, mostly from North East-based creatives, and the selection rotates frequently enough that repeat visits make sense. It's not the sort of gallery that'll keep you occupied for four hours, but an hour browsing is entirely reasonable, and you'll likely leave wanting to know more about whoever's exhibiting.

It suits grown-ups and older teenagers far more than young children - unless yours are already into art, in which case they'll probably find it less condescending than most family-oriented galleries. If you're staying at Parkdean Resorts Whitley Bay, which is barely over a mile away, it's absolutely worth a rainy afternoon slot. Ditto if you're camped at Old Hartley - you're close enough that it doesn't require a major expedition.

Admission details aren't widely published online, so ring ahead before you visit. The gallery's strength lies in its refusal to be polished or mass-market. That's either exactly what you're after, or it isn't.