Strikeart gallery

Strikeart Gallery sits in Hertfordshire, just far enough from London to feel like a proper escape but close enough that you won't spend your entire day driving. It's a contemporary art space, the kind where you'll find emerging artists alongside established names - working studios, exhibitions, the lot.

The gallery itself is fairly intimate. You're not talking about vast cathedral-like rooms here; instead there's something quite refreshing about being able to see the work without getting lost in the crowds. If you're the type who actually reads the artist statements and spends time with pieces rather than photographing them for Instagram, you'll get real value from an hour or two here.

Truth be told, it's not a day-long destination on its own. But if you're staying at Theobalds Park or Fowley Mead Park nearby - both solid holiday bases - it's well worth the short trip for a morning browse. The gallery tends to appeal most to art enthusiasts rather than families with young kids; unless yours are genuinely into contemporary work, you'll probably find yourself cutting the visit short.

Best to check opening hours and current exhibitions before you head over - gallery schedules can be a bit fluid, especially around quieter periods. Admission details aren't entirely clear from the information available, so ring ahead to confirm. If you're timing a Hertfordshire park holiday, slot this in on a halfway day when everyone's after something different from the pool and the playground.