Specere

About two miles from Hexham, Specere is a contemporary art gallery tucked into the Kielder landscape. It's one of those places that makes you stop and actually think about what you're looking at - proper installations and sculptural work that engages with the surrounding forest rather than fighting it.

The gallery itself is worth visiting if you're into modern art and don't mind a bit of a trek into rural Northumberland. It's intimate rather than grand, which means you're not wrestling through crowds on a Saturday afternoon. The work here tends to be thoughtful and site-specific, which matters when you're this far from Newcastle or anywhere else.

You'll want to allow a couple of hours if you're taking it seriously. Don't expect café facilities or gift shops - bring a flask if you're the type. It works brilliantly as part of a broader Kielder trip rather than a destination on its own. If you're based at Kielder Campsite or Landal Kielder Waterside, it's a straightforward drive and breaks up a week of walking and lake time with something altogether different.

Historically minded visitors and anyone serious about contemporary sculpture will get the most from it. Families with young kids might find it underwhelming unless the current exhibition is particularly engaging - check their website before you head over. The real pull here is the setting and the quality of curation rather than volume of work.