God's House Tower

A medieval tower that's somehow become Southampton's most intriguing cultural space. God's House Tower sits right on the edge of the old town walls, a 15th-century survivor that's been converted into a proper art gallery. Inside you'll find rotating exhibitions - contemporary work mostly, sometimes photography, sometimes installations - spread across several floors with views out over the town as you climb.

The tower itself is the real draw here. It's genuinely compact, which means you can spend a focused hour looking at the art without it feeling like a slog around endless corridors. Families with kids who prefer concentrated visits over sprawling museums will get the most from this. History enthusiasts will appreciate the medieval bones - it's one of the few remaining towers from Southampton's defensive system.

Free admission (check the website to confirm), and it's open daily 10am to 5pm. You won't need more than an hour unless you're determined to sit with each piece. The real bonus is its location in Southampton's old town - you can easily pop here between the Bargate and the waterfront, or combine it with a walk along the medieval walls.

If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Sunnydale Farm is closest at less than three miles - this makes a worthwhile morning visit before heading out to the New Forest proper. Worth the detour if you're already in Southampton, though don't expect to spend half a day here.