Collective Gallery & Art Project Space

The Collective Gallery sits just outside St Albans and punches well above its weight as a contemporary art space. It's the kind of place where you'll find everything from emerging local artists to touring exhibitions that wouldn't look out of place in central London, except here you can actually get a parking space.

Inside, the gallery operates as both a traditional exhibition space and a working studio - you might catch artists in the middle of projects, which adds a real energy to a visit. The work tends toward the contemporary and experimental rather than safe, which means some shows absolutely sing and others leave you scratching your head. That's rather the point.

It's worth an afternoon if you're the sort who likes to wander around art spaces without the crowds of a major institution breathing down your neck. Families with older kids who can handle something a bit more challenging than a museum café will enjoy it. History buffs and casual browsers, though, will find it a bit thin for a dedicated trip.

You're well placed here for a park holiday - Frogmore Park Homes and Cherry Green Trees are both very close by, and this makes a sensible cultural breather between walks and outdoor time in Hertfordshire. The St Albans location means you've got the cathedral and the old market town on your doorstep too. Call ahead about opening hours and admission, as the gallery runs on a fairly flexible schedule depending on what's on.