Keep the kids in the picture: art breaks around the UK

11.08.2023 - 15:39 / theguardian.com / Antony Gormley / Tracey Emin / Art

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)

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

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

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 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