As much as we love gallery-hopping in London, it can sometimes be a pain, especially in the summer months when you have to negotiate football-team-sized tourist groups and bored kids in London out on family trips. And in August, when almost every gallery shuts up shop for the month? Forget about it. But there are plenty of great galleries, museums and institutions within perfect day-trip distance from the capital. So if you are looking for some out-of-town culture here are 12 of our favourites venues to visit just a train ride away.
RECOMMENDED: our full guide to great sculpture parks in the UK.