Museums, galleries & other venues

Sudbury, CO10 2EU

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

Saxmundham, IP17 1AB

One of the region's most daring and artistically ambitious spaces for contemporary art. If what you seek is avant-garde contemporary art, this is your best bet in the region.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Snape, IP17 1SP

The world-class culture hub of Suffolk.

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.)

Norwich, NR1 3JU

Norwich, NR3 1HE

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.

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.

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.

Cambridge, CB3 0DF