Art Gallery

St Albans has a proper art gallery worth an afternoon if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Cherry Green Trees is practically on the doorstep at less than a mile away. The gallery itself sits within easy reach of the town centre, so you can pair it with a wander round the medieval clock tower and the cathedral if you've got the energy.

What you'll find inside depends on what's on at the time, though most regional galleries cycle through a mix of local artists, touring exhibitions, and work that reflects the area's heritage. It's the sort of place where you can spend anything from ninety minutes to three hours depending on how seriously you take your art. History buffs and anyone with a passing interest in contemporary work will get more from it than casual browsers, to be honest.

Admission details aren't readily available online - worth ringing ahead before you visit. The gallery works well as a rainy-day option or a cultural break from park activities. If you're based at Commons Wood or The Mimms further out, it's still only a short drive in. Families with teenagers who aren't completely anti-culture might surprise you; younger kids tend to get restless after the first room unless there's something particularly interactive on.

Pair it with St Albans' other attractions - the Abbey, the market square - and you've got a solid half-day sorted. Go mid-week if you can; weekends draw the serious crowds.