Neptune

The first thing that hits you about Neptune is how seriously it takes its art. This gallery in County Durham isn't some sleepy provincial space - it's a proper contemporary venue that manages to feel both ambitious and genuinely welcoming. You'll find everything from painting and sculpture to installation work, with the kind of rotating exhibitions that actually make you want to check back in a couple of months' time.

It's the sort of place where art students and casual visitors rub along without pretension. If you're into modern work and aren't afraid of something experimental, you'll find plenty to sink your teeth into. Those dragging themselves along reluctantly, mind you, might struggle - there's no gift shop theatre or glossy production values here. Just good art in a proper gallery setting.

Allow a decent couple of hours if you want to see everything properly, though a quick look takes about 45 minutes. Admission details aren't entirely clear from what I can gather, so ring ahead before you head over from Stockton-on-Tees - it's close enough that it's worth checking.

Parked at Donnewell Farm or Woodside Ridge? Both are brilliant bases, and Neptune slots in nicely alongside other Durham attractions if you're doing a proper culture run. It's not the sort of gallery that dominates a whole day, but as part of a broader art crawl through the region, it absolutely deserves your time.