First Light Festival, Lowestoft
_Arts and culture in the East of England
See + Do
Top Attractions
Arts and culture in the East of England are shaped by space, light and a strong sense of place. From historic towns and coastal communities to galleries, theatres and festivals, creativity here feels woven into everyday life rather than set apart from it. This page brings together different ways to experience culture across the region. Whether you’re planning a trip around it or discovering it as you go, these experiences invite you to slow down, look closer and follow what interests you most.
Experience art in unexpected settings
Art in the East of England often appears where you don’t quite expect it. Set within open landscapes, historic buildings and former industrial spaces, these places invite you to take your time and experience art as part of the wider setting around you.
You might move between indoors and outdoors, pause to take in the view, or find that the journey there becomes part of the experience itself.
Family Friendly
Amazona Zoo
Amazona Zoo in Cromer, Norfolk, is one of the county’s most unique and fun days out where families can discover South American wildlife.
Arts + Culture
Snape Maltings Accommodation
Explore the Suffolk countryside from one of 13 wonderful self-catering properties situated in the heart of Snape Maltings.
Arts + Culture
Gainsborough's House
Gainsborough's House is the childhood home of Thomas Gainsborough (1727-88) in Sudbury.
Arts + Culture
Houghton Hall, Walled Garden and Sculpture Park
Palladian Mansion built for Britain's First Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole.
Arts + Culture
First Light Festival
The UK's ONLY FREE beachfront festival taking place on Lowestoft's South Beach across Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd June
Spend an evening with live performance
An evening of live performance here feels personal and grounded. Theatres sit at the heart of towns and cities, woven into the rhythm of local life rather than standing apart from it.
You arrive as streets fill up, take your seat among a mix of locals and visitors, and step back outside later with the feeling that you’ve shared something that belongs to the place you’re in.
Norwich Theatre
Part of the Norwich Theatre family, Norwich Theatre Royal is one of the largest regional theatres…
Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds
Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds is a vibrant 200-year-old theatre located in the beautiful Suffolk…
Cromer Pier Pavilion Theatre
Home to the "The Cromer Pier Show” famously known as the 'Seaside Special' the celebrated only ‘End…
Many cultural experiences in the East of England are inseparable from the places they belong to. Stories here are shaped by landscape, history and long memory, giving them a depth that unfolds slowly.
Whether you’re exploring literature, local history or creative spaces shaped by their surroundings, these are places that reward curiosity and attention.
“Stories live in places, waiting for someone to stop long enough to hear them.”
Discover stories rooted in place
NT Sutton Hoo
Discover the awe-inspiring Anglo-Saxon burial site. This hauntingly beautiful 255 acre estate, with…
Strangers Hall Museum
A hidden gem in the heart of Norwich - one of the city’s oldest and most exquisite buildings.
Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum
Visit The Tide Mill, Woodbridge, one of a handful worldwide still producing flour and working on…
Culture shaped by the coast
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Where to go next
If something here has sparked your interest, there’s more to discover across the East of England. Explore cultural venues, events and experiences, or follow a theme that fits the kind of trip you’re planning.
Explore more arts and culture
Long Shop Museum
A museum filled with stories about invention, creation, imagination and revolutions. A museum filled with stories about invention, creation, imagination and revolutions.
Long Shop Museum
A museum filled with stories about invention, creation, imagination and revolutions.
Wroxham Miniature Worlds
Wroxham Miniature Worlds is the largest indoor modelling attraction in the UK. Great fun for all… Wroxham Miniature Worlds is the largest indoor modelling attraction in the UK. Great fun for…
Wroxham Miniature Worlds
Wroxham Miniature Worlds is the largest indoor modelling attraction in the UK. Great fun for all…
Woodforde's Brewery Tours
Discover how we brew your favourite beers, with a Woodforde's Brewery Tour. Discover how we brew your favourite beers, with a Woodforde's Brewery Tour.
Woodforde's Brewery Tours
Discover how we brew your favourite beers, with a Woodforde's Brewery Tour.
Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum
Visit The Tide Mill, Woodbridge, one of a handful worldwide still producing flour and working on… Visit The Tide Mill, Woodbridge, one of a handful worldwide still producing flour and working…
Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum
Visit The Tide Mill, Woodbridge, one of a handful worldwide still producing flour and working on…
Wherry Yacht Charter
Sit back and enjoy the tranquillity of sailing on a historical wherry yacht. Join one of the many… Sit back and enjoy the tranquillity of sailing on a historical wherry yacht. Join one of the…
Wherry Yacht Charter
Sit back and enjoy the tranquillity of sailing on a historical wherry yacht. Join one of the many…
Wells and Walsingham Light Railway
Narrow Gauge steam railway. Timetable service operates everyday between March and October. Narrow Gauge steam railway. Timetable service operates everyday between March and October.
Wells and Walsingham Light Railway
Narrow Gauge steam railway. Timetable service operates everyday between March and October.
Visit Landguard
Come and discover the Landguard Peninsula - located at Suffolk's most southerly point. Come and discover the Landguard Peninsula - located at Suffolk's most southerly point.
Visit Landguard
Come and discover the Landguard Peninsula - located at Suffolk's most southerly point.
True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum (The North End…
An independent social history Museum depicting the story of the North End fisherfolk. An independent social history Museum depicting the story of the North End fisherfolk.
True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum (The North End Trust)
An independent social history Museum depicting the story of the North End fisherfolk.
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