Culture

Art to View

The region is home to a vibrant and diverse visual
arts scene. Visit one of our fine galleries, such as the
20th C. paintings at Kettle's Yard in Cambridge; or
the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts at Norwich,
which spans 5,000 years of human creativity. Don't
miss the 'firstsite' art gallery at Colchester
(opening spring 2011) - housed in an equally
inspiring building. For a closer look at
sculpture, explore the parkland at the New Town of
Harlow; or take a tour of The Henry Moore
Foundation, the former home/studio of this famous
sculptor at Perry Green (nr. Much Hadham).

Many of our galleries hold changing exhibitions of
art, with a chance to purchase the works on show.
You can also meet our artists, and maybe
commission your own piece, with Open Studios
(Bedfordshire, Cambridge, Colchester and Tendring,
Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk) around the
region. The Leigh Art Trail in Leigh-on-Sea and the
National Pottery and Ceramics Festival at Hatfield
House are just two of our art-based events.

Inspired? - then why not take part in an art-related course for a day, a weekend or
longer. Enjoy painting in the Dedham Vale, just as landscape artist John Constable
did; or try your hand at printmaking at the birthplace of Thomas Gainsborough.

Click here for our full listing of galleries and culture-based events

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Inspirational Landscapes

Explore the places that inspired our famous
artists and authors.

Born at East Bergholt (nr. Ipswich), take a walk down
to Flatford Mill - scene of ‘The Hay Wain', by Britain's
greatest landscape artist John Constable; or head to
the Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery which
houses the Dutch-inspired works of the Norwich
School (John Crome and John Sell Cotman). This
was the first society of artists to be formed outside
London. Scenes of horses and rural life were the
great love of Sir Alfred Munnings - see them at his
former home in Dedham Noted for his portrait
paintings, the birthplace of Thomas Gainsborough at
Sudbury displays more of his work than any other
museum in the world. See more masterpieces by
Gainsborough and Constable at 16th C.
Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich.

Magical children's authors, crime queens and literary
greats. See the original manuscripts of A.A Milne's
Winnie the Pooh in Cambridge; or visit Melford Hall
at Long Melford - with its Beatrix Potter memorabilia.
At the Nene Valley Railway in Peterborough - you can take a ride on the original
Thomas the Tank Engine (named by author and local rector Wilbert Awdry). Set
sail for the watery tales of Arthur Ransome on The Broads and River Orwell;
then visit Great Yarmouth, birthplace of Anna Sewell who created Black Beauty.

Ruth Rendell and P.D. James have littered the area with their red herrings and
dead bodies, as has Dorothy L. Sayers - whose Lord Peter Wimsey is on hand to
solve the crime amongst the unique landscapes of The Fens Other famous names
include Graham Greene, George Orwell, George Bernard Shaw and Rupert Brooke.
Relax in a rowing boat on the meare at Thorpeness (nr. Aldeburgh) with its Peter
Pan (J.M. Barrie) theme - but watch out for the crocodile!

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Scene on Screen

Visit the locations of your favourite films and television programmes
in the East of England. From Chariots of Fire and Kingdom, to Dad's Army,
James Bond and Shakespeare in Love.

Discover our new Movie Map - you are just a click away from discovering
what scene was shot where, and how you can follow in the footsteps of the stars.

Enjoy music from classical to pop, big screen premieres and
readings of your favourite books. See performances from local, national and internationally known artists