It's only paper

It's Only Paper is a gallery in Ingatestone that takes paper art seriously - and frankly, it's a refreshing departure from the usual gallery circuit. The work here celebrates what you can actually do with paper: sculpture, installation, printmaking, mixed media pieces that go far beyond a framed watercolour on a wall.

You're looking at a space that caters mainly to art enthusiasts and anyone curious about contemporary craft, though it's not the sort of place that'll grip restless kids for hours. Allow an hour or so to wander through, depending on how engaged you are with the work. The scale is intimate rather than overwhelming - exactly what you want from a local gallery.

It's the sort of stop that makes sense if you're already in Ingatestone town, perhaps grabbing lunch or doing a spot of wandering around Essex's quieter corners. Pair it with a stay at either The Courts Campsite or Stuarts Wood Campsite nearby, both solid choices within five miles, and you've got a proper low-key weekend sorted. You could easily combine it with a country walk or a potter through the town itself.

Check ahead for opening times and admission costs before you head out - independent galleries like this can shift their schedules seasonally. But if paper art speaks to you, or you're looking for something a bit different to the usual heritage house and garden routine, it's well worth the trip.