Trigon

Trigon sits just outside Sawbridgeworth as a contemporary art gallery that punches above its weight for a small Hertfordshire venue. The space itself is modern and unfussy - white walls, good light, and exhibitions that rotate regularly enough to warrant a return visit if you're staying nearby.

What you'll actually find inside depends on when you visit, as the programming shifts. Recent shows have ranged from painting and sculpture to photography and installations by emerging and mid-career artists. It's the sort of place where you might spend forty minutes wandering around, stopping to really look at something, or you could dash through in twenty if you're just ticking it off. Either way, it doesn't demand hours of your time.

If you're the type who genuinely enjoys contemporary work, it's worth the short drive from Sawbridgeworth. Families with older kids who can handle a quiet gallery environment will do fine. Younger children might get restless - there's not much interactive about it.

Stay at Toad Abode nearby and you've got a proper luxury base from which to explore the area. The Lee Valley parks are closer by car, though Dobbs Weir has mixed reviews. Trigon works best as part of a broader cultural ramble rather than a standalone destination - pair it with a walk along the River Stort or lunch in Sawbridgeworth town centre, and you've got yourself an afternoon.