Joyride

Joyride is a contemporary art gallery just outside Hitchin that punches well above its weight. The space showcases rotating exhibitions focused on modern and experimental work, with the kind of bold programming you'd expect from somewhere much larger. It's intimate without feeling cramped, and the staff actually know what they're talking about rather than just standing behind a desk.

The gallery works best for anyone serious about contemporary art - painters, sculptors, photographers looking at what's happening now rather than what happened centuries ago. If you're after Turner landscapes, you'll want to keep driving. But if you like your art to provoke a reaction, even an uncomfortable one, this is worth the visit.

Admission is free when we last checked, though do ring ahead as opening hours can shift with exhibitions. Allow an hour minimum, longer if you're the type to read all the wall text and sit with a piece for a while. It's the kind of place where you don't feel rushed.

If you're based at one of the caravan parks nearby - Jacks Hill is just three miles away - Joyride makes a proper cultural stop between walks around the countryside. Hitchin itself is a handsome market town with decent pubs and restaurants, so you can easily make an afternoon of it. The gallery ties in well with exploring the wider Hertfordshire landscape without feeling like it's trying too hard to be part of some grand heritage trail.