Museums, galleries & other venues

Colchester, CO1 1JH

A flagship contemporary art venue with a national reputation and a deep commitment to artists from the East of England.

Cambridge, CB2 1RB

One of the most complete one-stop art destinations in the East of England since you can take in its permanent collection rammed with important, centuries-spanning examples of British art, alongside ambitious and uncompromising contemporary art.

Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1NS

One of the only outposts of cutting edge contemporary art in the region.

Cambridge, CB3 0AQ

Don't miss the tour of Ede's house. It's a must-do. Besides the excellent quality of the art, it's a fascinating and intimate glimpse of an artist's life and coterie.

Snape, IP17 1SP

The world-class culture hub of Suffolk.

Norwich, NR1 3JU

Sudbury, CO10 2EU

A unique combination of artist's birthplace, historic museum, and striking contemporary gallery.

Lowestoft, NR33 0DX

One of the most important outposts of contemporary art in the East of England, 303 Projects mints groundbreaking new artists in its tiny but influential space in Lowestoft. Worth the trek!

Rendlesham, IP12 2TZ

We love this grassroots space which hosts lots of cutting edge, experimental exhibitions and events.

King's Lynn, PE31 6TY

No other stately home in the east of England combines heritage, history and tradition with contemporary art like Houghton Hall. If you loved Chatsworth and Blenheim Palace, you will also swoon for Houghton Hall. Go when one of their staggering summer sculpture exhibitions is installed on the grounds.

Great Yarmouth, NR30 2BG

We're big fans of this pioneering project which was way ahead of its time when it was founded. It's a shapeshifting kunsthalle and creative industry catalyst, curating its own shows while letting other creatives take over its spaces. It's always unexpected, heterogenous and ambitious. Most of all, it's as much about nurturing the creative community as it is about putting on public exhibitions. If anything, the former is their main raison d'être. Every lover of contemporary art should visit it at least once, because it's a beacon of creative entrepreneurship in the East of England.

Norwich, NR4 7TJ

Due to the fresh and innovative approach of Jago Cooper, Director of Sainsbury Centre, many of the museum's shows are conceptualised as explorations of important societal issues, rather than structured around an artist, genre or historical period. Rather, Cooper seeks to spark dialogue and exploration with the exhibitions rather than presenting traditional one-way museum viewing experiences. The gallery is also conspicuous in its commitment to environmental art, with many exhibitions and artworks dedicated to this category of art.

Great Yarmouth, NR30 2RG

A wonderful addition to the cultural ecosystem of the East of England, this gallery is a beacon of gallery best practice -- programming, presentation, scholarship -- and invests in the artists it exhibits. If the gallery continues in the same vein that it began, we have no doubt that it will have strong, positive ripple effects on the regional art scene, especially commercial art galleries.

Halesworth, IP19 8BY

One of the most dynamic and active culture hubs in North Suffolk, there's always something innovative and high-quality going on at this buzzing hub.

Colchester, CO1 1UE

One of the best curated and most variegated galleries in the East of England, the Minories' shows featuring regional artists are among the best of their kind. (Almost exclusively reliant on private funding and philanthropy, the gallery is also a venue for hire. While we cannot vouch for those third party shows, the Minories' own exhibitions are carefully and thoughtfully curated and we recommend them highly.)

Erpingham, NR11 7LY

Frinton-on-Sea, CO13 9PW

Through Simon Carter's uncompromising curation of shows that feature local, national and international artists, since 2016, this unlikely municipal space has become a genuine art destination. The nature of the space -- community café and meeting space -- pose some limitations: Artworks are domestic- rather than large-scale but small size does not mean small quality in this case!

Butley, IP12 3PZ

Swaffham, PE37 7RB

Felixstowe, IP11 7DG

Itteringham, NR11 7BB

Saffron Walden, CB10 1BD

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.

Harlow, CM20 1WG

Dedham, CO7 6AZ

Munnings' equine and equestrian paintings are celebrated. But the real treat is seeing all the equally masterful non-horse paintings. The picturesque setting and scenic tea room make for a very nice outing when the weather is fine.

Cambridge, CB3 0AG

Ipswich, IP4 2NL

Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6EX

The building has a heterogenous, sometimes chaotic, feel, so go when there is a very good temporary exhibition on. Luckily, there are many of those.

Colchester, CO4 5HH

Ipswich, IP4 2BE

Its interior is careworn and bordering on shabby, but Christchurch Mansion contains some important artworks by Gainsborough and Constable. Thus, it's definitely worth visiting at least once. Unfortunately, since its marketing is managed by Ipswich Council, rather than directly, its temporary exhibitions get virtually no airplay or attention. We're not afraid to say it: this is an art institution which needs more funding and support. After all, it's the flagship art institution for Suffolk County's capital city.

Cromer, NR27 9FA

Great Thurlow, CB9 7LF

Stowmarket, IP14 1AB

Halesworth, IP19 8LL

Norwich, NR3 1AE

Jaywick, CO15 2LF

The tower is a historical curiosity, more than an art destination, with the gallery space occasionally exhibiting artworks by community art groups, both professional and amateur. We do not routinely list their exhibitions so check their web page (below) for what's on at any given time.

Colchester, CO2 7HB

Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1DX

It feels a bit fusty and dungeon-like at first. But this museum contains some wonderful historical objects and some very good 17th century artworks from artists such as Mary Beale and Peter Lely.

Ipswich, IP1 1HE

Norwich, NR3 1BB

Norwich, NR3 1HR

Peterborough, PE1 1LF

Eye, IP23 7AN

Norwich, NR1 4DH

Cambridge, CB3 0DF

Wells-next-the-Sea, NR23 1AU

Wingfield, IP21 5RA

Wisbech, PE13 1JQ

King's Lynn, PE30 1LY

One of the best and most dynamic galleries in the Eastern region, C&C's aesthetic range is broad -- yet each member in their stable of artists is a leader in their respective genre or practice.

Cambridge, CB1 1LN

A beacon of uncompromising contemporary art presentation -- and gallery practice -- in a city that should be at the bleeding edge of the art industry, we welcomed news of this gallery with open arms and excitement!

King's Lynn, PE30 1NL

A pioneer not just in the East of England but nationwide, Groundwork Gallery was the first commercial art gallery in the UK exclusively dedicated to environmental art. Founder, Veronica Sekules, produces groundbreaking shows themed around an environmental subject and, to buttress those exhibitions, convenes symposia and talks by experts further illuminating the issues raised and explored by the artworks.

Manningtree, CO11 1AS

Stringently curated and beautifully presented, North House Gallery is undoubtedly one of the top art galleries in the East of England and always worth a visit.

Holt, NR25 6HS

Aldeburgh, IP15 5BS

Caroline Wiseman is the doyenne of the Aldeburgh art scene and the Art House remains a beacon of world-class excellence for the entire region.

Fingringhoe, CO5 7DN

Norwich, NR2 4JJ

Aldeburgh, IP15 5AQ

A high quality gallery specialising in Modern British rather than Contemporary art, it's a worthy and serious player in the Aldeburgh art scene because of its focused portfolio.

Saxmundham, IP17 1JJ

Holt, NR25 6BW

Cambridge, CB2 1SJ

Cambridge, CB2 1SU

Holt, NR25 6HG

Saffron Walden, CB10 1JW

Fen Ditton, CB5 8ST

Woodbridge, IP12 1DH

Aylsham, NR11 6ET

Ipswich, IP1 1TJ

Long Melford, CO10 9JQ

Holt, NR25 6BD

Norwich, NR3 1HN

Sudbury, CO10 0GW

Walton-on-the-Naze, CO14 8LE

The tower is a historical and architectural oddity, rather than a true art destination. Rather, the art is additive to the entire experience of visiting the tower, which also contains a museum (£4.50/ticket), and sales of artworks and gifts help to defray the cost of running the tower.

Maldon, CM9 5PJ

Holt, NR25 6HS

Corpusty, NR11 6QP

Holt, NR25 6BD

Aldeburgh, IP15 5AN

Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 2HA

Aldeburgh, IP15 5AN

Norwich, NR3 1LJ

Norwich, NR3 1JD

We generally don't give shout-outs to galleries but this one is a true showcase for its students, and, generally, EXCELLENT. However, since we don't automatically follow its exhibitions, do check out their exhibitions page or Instagram account to see what's going on.

Hemingford Grey, PE28 9DF

Woodbridge, IP12 1AL

Aldeburgh, IP15 5AQ

Wymondham, NR18 0PH

Although this institution is essentially a non-profit, the arts programme is run in a manner which strongly resembles a gallery for hire, explaining our classification of the space.

Bungay, NR35 1EE

Cambridge, CB4 3EF

Snape, IP17 1SP

Snape, IP17 1SP

Norwich, NR2 4TU

Framlingham, IP13 9BH

Norwich, NR2 1ND

Orford, IP12 2NU

King's Lynn, PE32 1UA

Wymondham, NR18 0PH