East Of England

With a rich recorded history spanning back millennia, the East of England enjoys no shortage of historical attractions and museums. From Norwich Castle, built as a Norman royal palace 900 years ago, to the Ipswich Museum and adjacent art gallery - respectively known for their Egyptian, Roman and Anglo-Saxon artefacts, and exhibitions of fine art and popular culture - the East offers a bounty for history buffs. Head to Suffolk where you will find Gainsborough's House which is the national centre for Thomas Gainsborough (1727-88) and is the largest museum & art gallery in Suffolk. In the new and exciting National Centre for Gainsborough in Sudbury, Suffolk groups will be able to see Gainsborough's masterpieces, exhibitions of international appeal, contemporary art and a landscape studio with panoramic views over Sudbury.

Nowhere else in the world can such a wide collection of Gainsborough's art be seen in a single setting, alongside delightful personal collections of the Suffolk artists John Constable and Cedric Morris.

You will find dozens of excellent museums across Essex.
A visit to one of Colchester's fantastic galleries or museums is a great way to start exploring the city, whether you discover the distant past in Colchester Castle Museum or prefer the cutting-edge contemporary art that you'll find in Firstsite, you'll find something for all tastes in the city centre, with no less than five significant museums and galleries within two minutes walk of each other. Head to the Saffron Walden Museum which is one of the oldest purpose-built museums in the country. The Museum holds around 175,000 specimens including natural sciences, archaeology, social and local history, costume & textiles, world cultures and fine & decorative arts. There is a lively programme of events and exhibitions both in the museum and around the district.

Looking for things to do in Cambridgeshire?
Visit Cambridgeshire to travel through miles of lush, marshy fenland, cathedral towns full of medieval markets, and see the city of Cambridge - one of the world's greatest centres of learning. Follow the footsteps of one of the county's most famous residents, Oliver Cromwell, to Ely to treat yourself to views of sprawling wetlands from the lantern towers. Or alternatively do Cambridge by punt or bike to get a student's-eye view of college greens, libraries, and chapels. There is more to Cambridgeshire than academia and marsh though.

Why not delve into a historic gem in Peterborough where you can explore a lost prehistoric world populated by sea monsters. Located in one of the city's most historic buildings, the Peterborough Museum has a wealth of stories to fascinate the whole family, or group visitors with amazing objects and interactive displays. You can come face to face with Jurassic sea-monsters that swam in our prehistoric seas over 150 million years ago, then explore this historic building; mansion, hospital and museum.