Beecroft Art Gallery

The Beecroft sits on the seafront in Southend, a proper little art gallery that punches above its weight. Inside you'll find a rotating collection of contemporary work alongside pieces from the permanent collection - nothing pretentious, just good art displayed without fuss. The building itself is worth the visit: Victorian charm done right, with big windows that let the light flood across the walls. The views across the Thames estuary are a bonus that costs nothing extra.

Walkers and art types will find most to enjoy here. It's not massive - you can do it in ninety minutes if you're not lingering over every piece - but there's enough to justify the trip. Families with older kids might appreciate it; younger ones will lose interest fast. The café serves decent coffee and cake, which matters when you're killing time between attractions.

It's free to get in, open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 until 5, and closed on public holidays. If you're based at Essex Glamping or any of the other parks within a few miles of Benfleet, this makes for a proper rainy-day plan or a morning activity before heading to the beach. The location means you can combine it easily with the seafront walks at Southend itself - the pier's just down the road if you want something for the kids to do afterwards. Worth the detour if art galleries appeal, dead loss if they don't.