Sea hare

Head into Tilbury and you'll find Sea Hare, a gallery that punches well above its weight for a riverside town that most people just drive through on the way to somewhere else. It's a working artist studio and exhibition space rolled into one - the sort of place that actually feels alive because people are making things there, not just displaying them behind velvet ropes.

The space itself is intimate. You're not wandering round endless rooms here; it's more like stepping into someone's creative world for an hour or so. The work on show tends to lean towards contemporary art with a loose coastal influence - fitting given the Thames location. Whether it's paintings, prints, or installations, there's usually something worth stopping to properly look at rather than just glancing past.

It works best for people who actually like art galleries rather than those who feel obligated to visit one. Kids will get bored after twenty minutes, honestly. But if you're staying at Thamesview Camping nearby and fancy a break from the caravan, or you're interested in what local Essex artists are doing right now, it's well worth the short drive from your base.

Check ahead before visiting as opening hours can be variable - galleries this size often run on the artist's schedule rather than strict timetables. Admission details aren't always advertised online either, so a quick phone call or email first is sensible.