York Art Gallery

The collection inside York Art Gallery spans everything from medieval manuscripts to contemporary installations - it's a proper mixed bag, and that's exactly why it works. Set right in the heart of York, the gallery punches above its weight. You'll find yourself standing in front of a Turner landscape one moment, then face-to-face with modern British art the next. The building itself, housed in a neoclassical villa, feels intimate rather than overwhelming.

For art enthusiasts, this is a serious afternoon. Families with older kids will find enough to engage them without the crowds you'd battle at somewhere like the National Gallery down south. Younger children might get restless after an hour or so unless they're particularly keen. The real strength here is the local Yorkshire art - there's genuine pride in what they've collected, and you can feel it.

Allow a couple of hours minimum to do it justice, longer if you're not rushing. It's free to enter, which removes any guilt about dipping in and out. Perfect slot during a park holiday at Nurseries Caravan Park or Wagtail Park - both just a short drive away. Pop in after a walk around the medieval city walls, grab lunch at one of the surrounding cafes, and you've got a proper York morning sorted. The gallery closes for lunch some days, so check ahead, but it's worth a bit of planning to fit it in.