Southmill Arts Centre

Southmill Arts Centre sits in Sawbridgeworth, a proper working cultural space rather than a polished museum piece. It's housed in a converted mill - you get that honest industrial feel the moment you walk in, all exposed beams and creative energy. The place runs exhibitions, workshops, and performances throughout the year, so what you'll find depends entirely on when you visit. On our last trip, there was a decent local art show and a pottery class happening simultaneously, which tells you something about the breadth of what goes on here.

This is mainly for people who actually care about art and community culture. If your kids are after theme parks, they'll find it dull. But if you've got teenagers interested in making things, or you want to support local artists while you're on holiday, it's worth an afternoon. The staff know their stuff and won't patronise you.

It works well as a quieter counterpoint to a park-based break. Both Toad Abode and The Wild Retreat at Redricks Lake sit within five miles, so you could easily pop into town for a bit of culture before heading back to your accommodation. Sawbridgeworth itself is a pleasant enough market town - not overwhelming, which is the point. Allow a couple of hours, maybe longer if there's a workshop on that takes your fancy. Best to check ahead what's running when you're planning to visit.