Starry hare

The Starry Hare sits near Tilbury as a proper contemporary art space that catches you off guard if you're exploring this corner of Essex. It's a gallery focused on printmaking and illustration - the kind of place where you actually want to spend time looking rather than just ticking a box.

What makes it worthwhile is the work on the walls feels considered, often whimsical without being saccharine. You'll see everything from bold screen prints to delicate etchings, with a particular slant towards animal and nature subjects - hence the name. It's not vast, so you won't need half a day, but it rewards a proper browse rather than a quick look round.

Families with older kids or teenagers who draw will get the most from it. Younger children might lose interest after twenty minutes unless something really grabs them. Anyone serious about printmaking or illustration should absolutely call ahead - the gallery often runs workshops and talks that go beyond just viewing the exhibition.

The location near Tilbury makes sense if you're already in the area exploring the riverside or staying nearby - Thamesview Camping is just over two miles away, making this an easy evening visit after a day outdoors. It's the sort of gallery that reminds you good art spaces exist outside London's bubble. Worth checking their opening hours and what's currently on before you venture out, as exhibitions rotate and occasionally they close for rehang.