MARK'S MOTOR ART

Mark's Motor Art sits just outside Tilbury and is exactly the sort of place you either love immediately or walk straight past. It's a gallery devoted entirely to automotive art - think paintings, sculptures, and installations centred on cars rather than the machines themselves. The work ranges from pop art interpretations of classic motors to more abstract pieces that use automotive imagery as their jumping-off point.

Car enthusiasts will find plenty to chew over here, but honestly it appeals just as much to anyone interested in contemporary art who happens to like a good visual pun. The space itself is straightforward - no pretension, no velvet ropes - which rather suits the subject matter. You're looking at maybe an hour, ninety minutes tops, depending on how deep you want to go with each piece.

It's the sort of thing you'd slot in during a longer Essex excursion rather than plan a whole trip around. If you're staying at Thamesview Camping nearby, it makes a decent wet-weather option or a quick morning visit before heading elsewhere along the Thames. The admission situation and opening hours aren't entirely clear from what I can gather, so ring ahead or check their site before you go - nothing worse than turning up to a gallery that's shut for a private event.

Worth a look if you're in the area and have time to kill.