Marks & Tilt

The first time I walked into Marks & Tilt, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. It's a contemporary gallery just outside St Albans, and the work on display tends toward the experimental and thought-provoking rather than the obviously pretty. If you're after traditional landscapes or safe abstracts, you might find yourself slightly wrong-footed.

What you actually get is a space that takes itself seriously. The shows rotate, so there's a proper reason to return if you're local or passing through more than once. The setting itself is low-key - no grandiose entrance, no gift shop trying to flog you a £40 catalogue you don't need. Just the work and the space.

This isn't somewhere to drag reluctant teenagers unless they're genuinely interested in contemporary practice. But for anyone who actually enjoys looking at new art and forming their own opinions rather than being led by the hand, it's worth the small detour from St Albans. The surrounding area is decent too - you're close enough to Frogmore Park Homes if you're basing yourself at one of the local parks, and the drive from Cherry Green Trees or Marshmoor Crescent isn't painful.

Allow an hour, maybe ninety minutes if there's a substantial exhibition on. Check ahead before visiting - the opening hours and admission details aren't entirely clear online, so a quick call first saves a wasted journey. Best suited to adult art enthusiasts rather than families looking for an afternoon activity, but proper worth the trip if that's your thing.