The Alchemy Gallery

The Alchemy Gallery sits in Billericay and focuses on contemporary art with a particular bent towards experimental and mixed-media work. It's the sort of place where you'll find installations that make you think, rather than the safe pastels-and-landscapes type of gallery you might expect in Essex.

You're looking at a couple of hours maximum here - enough time to properly take in the current exhibition without your attention wandering. The work tends to appeal to anyone with an actual interest in art rather than just popping in because it's raining. If you're not bothered about challenging contemporary pieces, you'll be out the door in fifteen minutes wondering what the fuss was about.

It works well as a rainy-day addition to a park holiday rather than the main event. Barleylands Campsite is basically on the doorstep at 0.2 miles away, so if you're staying there, it's no trouble at all to wander over. Stuarts Wood is a bit further at 4.3 miles but still an easy drive. Given that Billericay itself isn't exactly bursting with attractions, the gallery is worth a look if you're staying in the area, but don't build your whole trip around it. Check their opening hours and what's on before you visit - the quality of the exhibitions varies, and you'll want to make sure there's something worth seeing when you're there.