Towner Eastbourne, Eastbourne
With curved architecture and a multicoloured mural encompassing the exterior, Towner Eastbourne is an eye-catching stalwart of the south coast’s art scene. This year it celebrates its centenary with Towner 100: The Living Collection, which has accompanying text panels helping youngsters to learn their way around the exhibits. A 20-minute stroll west leads you to Holywell Retreat, a shingle beach with rockpooling and a tea chalet offering breakfast or lunch with a view.
Admission free, townereastbourne.org.uk; family room, B&B, from £146, lansdownehotel.co.uk (gallery visitors to the hotel can claim a £20 discount)
Horniman Museum, London
The philanthropist Frederick John Horniman opened the museum in 1901 as a “gift to the people in perpetuity”; more than a century later, the Horniman still hosts eclectic exhibitions combining art and artefacts from around the world. Little ones will be fascinated by the stuffed walrus presiding over the taxidermy collection, and it’s easy to spend a day taking in the aquarium, butterfly house and animal walk.
Admission free, prices for the aquarium, butterfly house and exhibitions from £2.50, horniman.ac.uk; family room, B&B, from £141, innkeeperscollection.co.uk, Dulwich, London
Jupiter Artland, Edinburgh
Set in more than 100 acres of land with a Jacobean manor house at its centre, Jupiter Artland is a contemporary sculpture park 30 minutes’ drive from Edinburgh, displaying pieces by Tracey Emin, Antony Gormley and Phyllida Barlow. Adventurous weekday play sessions inspired by the art are available to book and water babies will enjoy a dip in the splash-shaped, dazzlingly tiled 9-metre heated pool. Dry off and head to the Silverstreak caravan for kids’ lunch bags, ice-cream, or if there’s a nip in the air, their loaded hot chocolate.
Adults £11, children 4-16 £7, family of 4 £30, children 3 and under free, jupiterartland.org; superior room, B&B, from £251, dalmahoyhotelandcountryclub.co.uk
The MAC, Belfast
Affordability and accessibility is key to the ethos of this cultural hub in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter. Its free Playroom encourages kids to learn about the current exhibitions and create their own masterpiece, and the three Imagination Stations are stuffed with art supplies and activity sheets. Baby change facilities stocked with nappies and breastfeeding chairs are a welcome touch, and the cafe has a good menu for under-12s. Once creativity is exhausted, the tropical plants of the Botanic Gardens are a short drive away in the leafy Queen’s Quarter.
Admission free, themaclive.com; family room, B&B, from £119, themalonehotel.com
Turner Contemporary, Margate
Turner Contemporary has transformed Margate from a town famous for traditional seaside kitsch into a destination for art lovers. Weekend workshops teach families how to make light catchers inspired by the abstract artist Beatriz Milhazes, whose exhibition can be viewed in the Sunley Gallery. If the weather is fair, brave the queues at Peter’s Fish Factory and demolish their excellent fish and chips on the seafront.
Admission free, turnercontemporary.org; family room, B&B, from £235; sherwoodhotelmargate.co.uk
Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Rolling hills, gardens and an imposing hall sets the scene for Yorkshire Sculpture Park, the largest of its kind in Europe. There are works by Damien Hirst and Barbara Hepworth as well as newer artists, with activity sheets available for young ones to create alongside the exhibitions. The Curiosity and Wonder summer programme has something for all ages, with activities ranging from clay sculpting, (clothed) life drawing and poetry workshops. Enjoy an alfresco picnic at one of the stunning viewpoints around the onsite Bretton Lakes.
Free for under-25s, concessions £6, standard adult tickets £9, ysp.org.uk; family room, B&B, from £175; 3acres.com
Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea
Playing a vital role in the ecosystem of accessible arts in Wales, Glynn Vivian offers backpacks filled with sensory and creative toys for children to accompany the permanent exhibitions. Specially designed sew-on badges can be earned by intrepid adventurers with an Explorers Club Passport, and free workshops inspired by the On Animals collection will include dress-up and puppet making. If the children are Disney fans it’s worth checking availability at Snow White’s cottage at Coynant Farm Park.
Admission free, glynnvivian.co.uk; Snow White’s Cottage (self-catering) from £175; swanseagoweraccommodation.co.uk
Hauser & Wirth, Somerset
Hauser & Wirth celebrates its founders’ Swiss heritage this summer with Gruppenausstellung, their new show. Families are encouraged to explore and interact with its colourful galleries, outdoor sculptures and installations by Roman Signer and Pipilotti Rist, and their Education Lab hosts learning events focusing on the environment. Roth Bar & Grill has a small but classic children’s offering including locally supplied burgers and sausages, and the stylish market town is well worth a wander.
Admission free, hauserwirth.com; family room from £200; atthechapel.co.uk
Compton Verney, Warwickshire
The legacy of the renowned 18th-century landscape gardener Lancelot “Capability” Brown lives on at Compton Verney, with abundant art, nature and creativity to be found inside and outside the Georgian mansion. This summer sees an exhibition of illustrations by Quentin Blake, and families can journey through the Timisien Luminarium, a 40-metre sculpture of winding paths through domes and radiant natural light. Kids will love exploring the Morag Myerscough installation – a row of brightly painted wooden buildings – and the woodland playground is another chance to stretch young legs.
Admission 25+ £18, 19-25 £10, children free, comptonverney.org.uk; family room, B&B, from £190; castleatedgehill.co.uk
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead
Quayside, once a commercial dock, is popular for its family-friendly strolls, bike rides and Sunday market. Baltic, which presides over the Gateshead quay, is a striking former flour-mill with four floors of art and incredible views of the Millennium and Tyne Bridges. Under-fives are catered for in the Play Hive and the peaceful Sensory Room. Older children can take part in artist-led workshops or a Wonder & Wander tour of the galleries. The accessible Front Room offers highchairs, free squash and hot drinks, and heating facilities for milk or baby food.
Admission free, baltic.art; family room, B&B, from £164; beamish-hall.co.uk