Ben Askem - Hertfordshire Artist

Ben Askem's studio and gallery space sits just outside St Albans, and it's the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. The artist works across painting, sculpture, and mixed media - think contemporary pieces that actually say something rather than just fill wall space. You get to see work in progress as well as finished pieces, which gives the whole thing a less polished, more honest feel than your typical gallery experience.

It's brilliant if you're the type who wants to talk art without the pretension. Askem's approachable about his practice, and the studio setting means you're not shuffling through white-walled rooms under halogen lights. Families with older kids interested in making things will get more from it than toddlers, if we're being honest. Younger children might struggle with the extended looking required.

You'll want to ring ahead or check the website for opening times and whether entry is free - details are thin on the ground. Allow an hour maximum, longer if you want to chat. The St Albans area has proper accommodation options: Cherry Green Trees is closest at just over three miles away and gets solid reviews, or Commons Wood Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite if you're self-catering. It pairs well with a St Albans day trip - the cathedral and high street are worth half a day, and the studio visit adds something different to the usual tourist circuit.