Clarendon Fine Art Richmond

The gallery sits on Richmond's quieter side, away from the crowds that swamp the riverside walk. Clarendon Fine Art deals in proper contemporary work - paintings, sculpture, the sort of stuff that makes you stop and actually look rather than just move through. The space itself is intimate, which means you're not trudging through endless rooms like you would in some cavernous museum.

It's the kind of place that appeals to people who already know what they're after rather than casual browsers. If you're into modern British art or emerging artists, you'll find it worthwhile. Those with kids will likely find thirty minutes is enough unless the little ones have inherited a taste for abstract work. The real value is if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Walton on Thames Camping and Caravanning Club Site is just over five miles away - and want a proper cultural break rather than another afternoon on the grass.

Location-wise, Richmond itself offers plenty to combine with a visit here. The riverside and the hill walks are all close by, so you can build a decent day around it rather than treating it as a standalone trip. Whether it's worth a journey from further afield depends entirely on what's showing - worth checking before you drive out from Chessington or wherever you're based. It's not the sort of gallery that demands a special journey, but if you're already in the area, it deserves an hour of your time.