Sarah Thompson-Engels ARTIST

Sarah Thompson-Engels runs a working studio and gallery just outside Taunton, and it's one of those spots that rewards turning up without massive expectations. The artist works across painting and mixed media, and you get to see pieces in progress as well as finished work - that's the real draw here, rather than a polished commercial gallery space. It feels more like visiting someone's creative workspace than stepping into a sterile white box, which honestly makes it far more interesting.

You'll get the most from a visit if you're genuinely interested in contemporary art and process-led work rather than looking for big-name recognisable pieces. An hour is a reasonable amount of time to spend here, though chatting with Thompson-Engels herself (if she's about) can easily stretch that longer. Most people find it's worth the detour if you're already exploring Somerset's quieter routes, though I'd ring ahead first to check opening times and whether she's in - it's not a formal venue with fixed hours.

If you're based at Cornish Farm Touring Park or Ashe Farm just down the road, this makes a sensible half-morning excursion before heading elsewhere. Taunton's near enough for lunch and other attractions, so you can build it into a proper day out rather than treating it as a standalone trip. Go in with an open mind and you'll leave having actually learned something about what makes someone tick creatively.