London Visual Arts

London Visual Arts sits just outside Staines, a proper gallery space that takes contemporary art seriously without the stuffiness you might expect. The collection rotates regularly, so what you'll see depends on when you visit - that's either brilliant or frustrating depending on your outlook. You get original paintings, sculpture, photography, and occasionally installation work that actually makes you think rather than just nod politely.

It's the sort of place where art students and local collectors know what's on, but it doesn't have the crowds of the big London institutions. You can usually spend an hour to ninety minutes here without feeling rushed, though dedicated art types could easily stretch it to two. There's no pretension about it - staff will chat about the work if you ask, not make you feel daft for not understanding everything.

If you're staying at Penton Park in Chertsey or camping at Laleham, this is worth a morning trip. The nearby town of Staines gives you decent coffee stops and lunch options, so you can make a proper afternoon of it without it feeling like you've driven miles for something rushed. Families with teenagers who actually engage with art will get something out of it; younger kids might lose interest quickly unless there's something particularly visual on display.

Free entry makes the gamble even better - if it's not your cup of tea, you've not wasted admission money. Just check ahead about what's showing and current opening hours, as smaller galleries can be temperamental about closing for private events.