Oil paintings by Gosia Kryk

You won't stumble upon Gosia Kryk's oil paintings by accident - they're not the sort of thing that gets plastered across tourist boards. But if you're staying around Sawbridgeworth and fancy something genuinely different, tracking down her work is worth the effort.

Kryk's paintings have real depth to them. She works with oils, building up layers and texture that photographs simply don't do justice to. The subject matter varies - landscapes, figures, still life - but there's a consistent technical skill running through everything. You get the sense she actually knows how to paint, which is rarer than you'd think.

This isn't a gallery space or a formal exhibition hall. Finding her work means doing a bit of detective work, which some people find annoying and others find rather charming. It's the sort of thing that appeals to art enthusiasts and serious collectors more than casual visitors looking to kill an afternoon. If you're into contemporary figurative painting and you're already in the area, absolutely worth investigating.

Staying at The Wild Retreat at Redricks Lake or Toad Abode puts you within striking distance. The latter has a cracking reputation if you're after a decent base for exploring the Hertfordshire countryside. Pair a visit here with some proper walking - the lanes around Sawbridgeworth are decent - and you've got yourself a proper weekend away.