Forest Trompe-l'œil

You'll walk into what feels like a forest but isn't one at all. Forest Trompe-l'œil is a gallery installation in Essex that plays tricks on your eyes - the whole point is that it looks like you've stepped into woodland when you're actually looking at a carefully constructed visual illusion. It's the sort of thing that sounds a bit gimmicky until you're actually there, standing in front of it, trying to work out where the real depth ends and the flat surface begins.

The appeal is immediate for anyone who cares about art, optical illusions, or just something a bit different from the usual gallery fare. Kids find it genuinely confusing in an entertaining way - they'll spend time trying to touch what looks three-dimensional and isn't. Adults tend to take far too many photos, which is fair enough.

Based near London, it works well as a half-day venture if you're camping at Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park in Edmonton or the Lee Valley Campsite in Sewardstone. Neither of those parks sets the world alight - ratings hover around 2.6 and 3.6 respectively - but they're convenient spots for exploring the area. You won't need more than an hour here, maybe ninety minutes if you're thorough or particularly susceptible to optical confusion.

If you're visiting during a wet afternoon or want something that breaks up a camping weekend with something genuinely unusual, it's worth the trip. Just don't expect vast crowds or lengthy queues.