The Fry Art Gallery
Because the gallery operates on a shoestring and is entirely volunteer-run and staffed, its opening days are limited by weather. However, its shows, when open, are well-curated and well worth a visit if you're in Essex.
Opened in 1987, The Fry Art Gallery holds an outstanding collection of paintings, prints, illustrations, wallpapers and decorative designs by 20th-century and contemporary artists with local ties - above all the Great Bardfield artists who settled in north-west Essex from the 1930s onwards, among them Edward Bawden, Eric Ravilious, John Aldridge and their circle.
Set in the historic heart of Saffron Walden, the gallery is run entirely by volunteers, free to enter and step-free throughout. Its programme pairs rotating displays from the permanent collection with themed exhibitions examining the wider creative circles the Bardfield artists moved in, as well as contemporary illustration and design.
A registered charity, the gallery is supported by the Art Fund, Essex Heritage Trust and The Pilgrim Trust. Its 2026 season runs from 5 April to 25 October.
