From cool Marseille to a photo-feast in Arles – an art trail through Provence

The French cities of Marseille, Aix, Avignon and Arles boast a wealth of museums and festivals showing work by contemporary artists. Here’s how to make the most of a dazzling cultural summer

Fancy a European art break with fewer crowds? Try one of these five cities

Forget queuing at the Louvre or the Uffizi. You’ll find a fresh perspective on everything from medieval to modern art in places like Lille, Verona and Zurich

How the ‘Lowry effect’ is rejuvenating Salford and Manchester: a tour of the artist’s old haunts and new shrines

There’s a lot more to LS Lowry than his matchstick men. A visit to the artist’s hometown reveals how his legacy helped turn a derelict dockland into the thriving creative hub of Salford Quays

How a TV interior designer is helping revive a remote Scottish island

On Ulva, in the Inner Hebrides, Banjo Beale and his husband are transforming a rundown mansion into their dream hotel, while another adventurous couple have created a charming bothy for hardier folk

Kids’ own adventures: 25 free school holiday activities around Australia this summer

Drop in to gallery workshops to make plushie pals or shimmering sun catchers, design the first city on the moon, control a gigantic whale puppet or meet a mermaid these school holidays

Pop art, folk festivals and grape crushing: Australian summer events worth travelling for

From contemporary art exhibitions to eccentric festivals, regional Australia has no shortage of big events over the summer of 2025-2026

Underground art: exploring the unique designs of London’s tube seats

Most metros use plastic or metal, but the distinctive fabrics on London’s network are full of clues to its history

‘One of the most breathtaking cathedrals in the world’: readers’ favourite churches in Europe

Wonderful art, mysterious history, amazing design and beautiful locations have drawn our tipsters to these shrines from Norway to Bulgaria

Exploring the home town of the artist Joseph Wright of Derby

With a new exhibition of his work at the National Gallery in London, a visit to the artist’s home town reveals the landscapes and industry that inspired him

‘This is pretty therapeutic’: a pottery retreat in Spain’s Alpujarras

In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in Andalucía, our writer finds that processing and shaping clay helps him filter out negative thoughts

Fresh perspectives: the best outdoor art trails in the UK this autumn

Free walking routes connect sculptures, murals, soundscapes and more in locations across the country – from butterflies in Brontë country to ceramics in Stoke

‘It landed like an alien spaceship’: 100 years after Bauhaus arrived, Dessau is still a magnet for design fans

The German city is celebrating the renowned art school’s centenary with exhibitions, digital tours and bike and bus routes connecting landmark Bauhaus buildings

The art of the city: a walking tour of Edinburgh’s best landscape sculptures

Start with Andy Goldsworthy’s earthy installations at the Royal Scottish Academy, then head outdoors to discover more of his work, alongside pieces by Barbara Hepworth, Antony Gormley and Charles Jencks

London’s Design Museum takes a deep dive into our love affair with swimming

From art deco lidos to 1980s Speedos, the curator of a new exhibition on swimming and style talks about the inspiration behind it

Where the art of Edvard Munch comes alive: a city break in Oslo

As a new exhibition celebrating the portraits of Edvard Munch opens at London’s National Portrait Gallery, we take a trip to the artist’s home city in Norway