Upright Motive No.7

Henry Moore's bronze sculpture sits in open countryside just outside Ware, a seven-metre-tall abstract form that stops you in your tracks the moment you round the corner. Upright Motive No.7 is one of Moore's most commanding works - all curves and voids, designed to be seen from every angle as you walk around it. The piece commands genuine presence; it's not the sort of thing you photograph and move on from.

This is primarily for anyone with a real interest in modern sculpture or Moore's practice specifically. It's free to view outdoors, which means you can visit at any time, though you'll want decent daylight to appreciate the form properly. Allow twenty minutes to properly circle the work and sit with it - there's something quite meditative about standing in front of something this substantial.

The real appeal here is pairing it with a walk through the Hertfordshire countryside. You're within striking distance of both Toad Abode and The Wild Retreat at Redricks Lake, both solid options if you're basing yourself locally. Either location gives you the chance to combine a proper country break with art that genuinely justifies the detour. Getting close to the sculpture itself requires access via private land in some cases, so check locally before you arrive - Ware's just down the road and staff there can point you in the right direction. It's not a day-trip destination on its own, but as part of a rural Hertfordshire weekend it works perfectly.