Vortices

The moment you walk into Vortices, you're hit with something properly disorienting in the best way possible. This contemporary gallery near Colchester deals in abstraction, movement, and optical illusion - the kind of work that makes your eyes do odd things if you stare too long. It's not a massive space, but it punches above its weight for a regional venue.

The gallery attracts art types and anyone curious about modern practice, though it's probably not the place to drag reluctant teenagers unless they're already into that world. You'll want a good hour here minimum, longer if you're the sort who reads every gallery note. The work tends toward installation and video - expect less sitting-and-contemplating, more walking around and having your perception messed with in interesting ways.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Colchester Country Park is barely more than a mile away, or there's Swallows Field if you want the glamping route - Vortices works as a rainy-day stop or a genuine afternoon's worth of looking. It breaks up the usual park routine without demanding hours of your time. Admission details aren't readily available online, so ring ahead or check their website before you head over. Worth the detour if contemporary art doesn't bore you silly, though it's not the sort of thing that'll occupy a family looking for more traditional attractions.