The Leaping Hare Art Gallery & Framers

You'll find The Leaping Hare tucked away in the Yorkshire countryside near York, and it's one of those places that rewards you for taking the back road. It's a working art gallery and framing studio combined, which means you're looking at proper contemporary art alongside the practical business of keeping paintings and prints safe. The space itself is worth the visit alone - it's got that feel of somewhere genuinely independent, run by people who care about the work on the walls rather than shifting units.

What you actually do here depends on your mood. Wander around and look at whatever's on show - the collection changes, so there's no point listing specific pieces. If you're after something framed, the framing side is the real deal, the kind of place where they'll spend time getting it right rather than suggesting the cheapest option. It's brilliant for art lovers and anyone after something one-off for their home, though if your kids are expecting interactive installations or hands-on activities, this isn't it.

There's no entry fee that I'm aware of, so you can pop in without commitment. Allow an hour if you're genuinely interested, twenty minutes if you're just browsing. It works well as part of a wider York visit, especially if you're staying at nearby Hideaway@Baxby Manor or Ravensdale Glamping Retreats - both solid options within a few miles. The gallery's the sort of stop that breaks up a park holiday nicely without demanding much time.