Sheep Piece

Art galleries in rural Hertfordshire aren't what you'd expect to stumble across, but Sheep Piece near Ware is exactly the kind of place that rewards poking around. It's a working gallery space where contemporary art gets shown properly - the kind of setup where the artist actually cares about how work hangs rather than cramming everything in for maximum footfall.

What you get depends on what's on when you visit, which means it's genuinely worth checking ahead. The space itself feels intimate rather than imposing, which suits smaller exhibitions and experimental pieces. Artists tend to show their better work here because the venue curates carefully instead of just taking anything. You're looking at perhaps an hour if there's a full show on, maybe less if it's between exhibitions.

This works brilliantly as a midweek escape if you're staying at Toad Abode or The Wild Retreat at Redricks Lake - both just a short drive away. Neither park is overwhelming distance from Ware itself, so you can combine a morning's gallery time with lunch in town and still have afternoon to spare for the parks' own facilities. Families with older kids who can appreciate art without needing constant entertainment will get more from it than those with toddlers. Serious collectors and art students, though, should definitely make the journey.

Bring cash if you're keen on buying - smaller galleries often work that way. Parking shouldn't be an issue.