Moon Gate

Moon Gate is a contemporary art gallery just outside Sawbridgeworth that punches well above its weight for a small Hertfordshire venue. The space itself is the draw - think white walls, good light, and room to actually breathe while looking at work, which is rarer than you'd think in the gallery world.

The programme rotates regularly, so what's on when you visit matters more than the building itself. They tend toward accessible contemporary practice rather than challenging conceptual stuff, which means it works for families with teenagers as much as serious art types. You're not going to spend hours here - most people are done in 45 minutes to an hour - but that's fine. It's the kind of place worth dropping into if you're already in the area rather than making a special trip.

It slots neatly into a wider Hertfordshire park holiday. Toad Abode, just 4.6 miles away, gets the full marks for a reason - proper setup for families wanting decent facilities without pretension. The Wild Retreat at Redricks Lake is closer still at under two miles, good if you want to base yourself nearby and explore the Sawbridgeworth area on foot. Lee Valley Caravan Park is further out at 4.1 miles but worth knowing about if those two are full.

Before you visit, check their website for opening hours and what's actually on - a quiet gallery between shows isn't worth the detour. But catch them mid-exhibition with something that appeals and you'll have a proper afternoon of it.