HEAD EAST – celebrating culture and arts in the East of England
Welcome to Head East. We’ve gathered our creative and cultural partners together to celebrate arts, culture, and heritage in and around Norfolk and Suffolk. There’s an abundance of places, spaces and events to explore close to home, for a day, an overnight stay or for longer. With something for everyone, you can search the latest event listings over on our What’s On page. And below, we’ll feature news, interviews, inspirational itineraries and event highlights to ensure you make the most of what the East has to offer. Enjoy exploring, discovering something new and spending quality time with friends and family.
NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS
Visual Arts

HEAD EAST – Abstraction, atmosphere and audiences
New exhibitions are now showcasing works in unique settings which add to their impact. Here are a selection of ideas to stimulate and intrigue
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Nature & Wildlife

HEAD EAST – Experience and Explore
Head east to experience a range of outdoor wonder walks, nature trails and art-led curated walks.
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Festivals

HEAD EAST – Festivals and Shows in The East of England
The East of England has a range of festivals taking place across the year that will appeal to all tastes in music, literature, art, and film
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Outdoors

HEAD EAST – Explore and Experience Rewilding in Coastal West Norfolk
If you haven’t experienced rewilding yet, these walking tours serve as a great introduction.
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Literature

HEAD EAST – Norwich UNESCO City of Literature
National Centre for Writing celebrates the tenth anniversary of Norwich becoming England’s first UNESCO City of Literature
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History & Heritage

HEAD EAST – History & Heritage The Abbey of St. Edmund 1000th Anniversary Celebrations
Bury St. Edmund’s, Suffolk is the location for a year of celebrations to mark 1000 years since the founding of the abbey of St. Edmund by King Canute.
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Explore

HEAD EAST – Explore and Experience Rewilding in Coastal West Norfolk
If you haven’t experienced rewilding yet, these walking tours serve as a great introduction to places which are being restored to their glorious, natural state.
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Visual Art

HEAD EAST – Select your Favourites! Share the EXPERIENCE
Share the experience! Over 200 concept designs have now been voted for and can be viewed for each of the locations at the Norfolk way art trail 2022
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Welcome

Introducing HEAD EAST and thank you to our partners
Head East is a new year-long campaign celebrating the rich diversity of arts, culture, and heritage in and around Norfolk and Suffolk.
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BEHIND THE SCENES
Traditional Visual Arts

HEAD EAST – Behind The Scenes –Mark Bills & Gainsborough’s House
My name is Mark Bills, director of Gainsborough’s House. My love of art has been the motivation throughout my career.
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Arts & Culture

HEAD EAST – Behind The Scenes – Art Fair East with Will Teather and Claire Oxley
Art Fair East, founded in 2015 by leading Norfolk-based artists, is the major art fair for the Eastern region.
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Arts & Culture

HEAD EAST – Behind The Scenes – Mary Muir, a fond farewell
A fond farewell from Mary Muir, Arts Development Manager at Norfolk County Council, after 22 years working and living in Norfolk.
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Literature

HEAD EAST – Behind the scenes, crime writing with Henry Sutton
Noirwich is the annual crime writing festival which has run for over eight years. Noirwich director, Henry Sutton shares his insights and observations into this year’s festival.
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Theatre & Drama

HEAD EAST – Behind the Scenes, Stephen Crocker About On Before
"The magic of theatre is built on shared experiences; moments that connect us with an endless array of stories and awe-inspiring creativity."
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Performing Arts

HEAD EAST – Behind The Scenes, Out There Arts with Artists Peter Sweet and Leonie Baker
Peter Sweet and Leonie Baker make up the performing arts company, Tiny Colossus, and are artists in residence at the National Centre.
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Festival

HEAD EAST – Behind the Scenes, Catherine Riley on Primadonna
100+ writers, publishers, musicians, influencers, and creatives of all kinds who offer their insight, experience, and expertise.
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Plan your visit
Itinerary

Norwich
Lose yourself in the City of Stories
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Ipswich
Immerse yourself in Suffolk's cultural capital
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Bury St Edmunds
Lose your head in Bury's cultural offering
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North Norfolk
Big sky, big sea, big culture
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Lowestoft
A fine mix of culture at the UK's most easterly point
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Suffolk Coast
Head to the sunrise coast of the best in landscape and culture
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Great Yarmouth
A surprisingly cultured seaside gem
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King’s Lynn
Shakespeare endorsed post town with a long history of culture
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