Essex has a thriving arts scene, from the flagship venue Firstsite to smaller galleries dotted across the county. The historic fishing town of Maldon has more than its fair share, including Hayletts, which is set in a lovely 18th century building on the high street. The approachable owner Sally Patrick stages nine exhibitions here a year specialising in promoting East Anglian artists as well as Modern British. From Friday 16 June - Saturday 15 July an exhibition of works by abstract artist Simon Carter. The Essex-based artist once produced an entire show based on John Constable's work, although with very different styles, both artists specialise in painting landscapes depicting their surroundings. 

* Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm, haylettsgallery.com