The Shying Horse

Julian Beere's The Shying Horse is a working gallery space just east of London that punches well above its weight. It's not a museum or a formal institution - it's more of an artist's studio where you can actually see work being made, which changes everything about how you experience it.

The gallery focuses on figurative and equestrian subjects, with paintings and studies that reveal real technical skill. Beere has a particular eye for movement and form, especially in how he captures horses mid-stride or mid-panic. If you know anything about art, you'll spot the difference between someone who's studied anatomy properly and someone who's just having a go.

This isn't a two-minute stop. Spend a good hour here if you're genuinely interested in contemporary figurative work. It works brilliantly for artists, art students, and anyone who actually wants to talk to a working painter rather than shuffle past gilt frames in a hushed corridor. Families with young kids might find it a bit niche unless someone's really keen on horses.

Access and opening hours need checking beforehand - it's not a commercial gallery with set times. Ring ahead or check the blog for current information before making the journey.

It sits handily between Lee Valley Campsite in Sewardstone and the larger Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park in Edmonton, making it a solid cultural detour if you're basing yourself at either site. The area has plenty of walking routes too, so you could pair a gallery visit with the outdoors.