The Ropewalk

There's a fabulous home for contemporary arts and crafts in the shadow of the Humber Bridge (over on the North Lincolnshire side), occupying a fascinating building that was once an 18th-century rope-making factory. That means an old brick building, now beautifully restored, that stretches a full quarter of a mile towards the river – which in turns means plenty of sympathetic space for four galleries, artists' studios, rope-making museum, coffee shop and sculpture garden. There's always something worth seeing, even if you're just dropping by for lunch, a browse in the gift shop and a walk along the banks of the Humber, and if you coincide with the annual 'Open Studios' weekends in September you can meet the artists and see their work in development in their studios. A Christmas Art Market in the old rope-making corridor shows off more work, from bespoke jewellery to handmade textiles. There's also a live music and events venue, Ropery Hall, for anything from stand-up comedy to touring African roots bands. It all adds up to a pretty special affair – not just any old rope, that's for sure.