East of England Visitor Guide 2018

STOWMARKET
A town at the geographical heart
of rural Suffolk and on the River
Gipping, Stowmarket was originally an
agricultural market town.
Industry developed upon the
canalization, in 1793, of the River
Gipping bringing new prosperity to the
town. Now the old towpath forms an
enjoyable footpath through the Gipping
Valley, from Stowmarket railway station
to the docks at Ipswich.
Even though it is growing in size and
population, Stowmarket hasn’t lost its
charm, with a variety of listed buildings
typical of Suffolk’s towns and villages,
most notably St Peter and St Mary’s
Church.
Not to be missed is the Museum of East
Anglian Life, one of the UK’s leading
open-air museums.
Foster traction engine, Museum of Rural Life,
Stowmarket | www.visitsuffolk.com
SUDBURY
Set in the heart of the Stour Valley,
the market town of Sudbury was for
centuries a centre of the weaving and
silk industries. The painter Thomas
Gainsborough was born here and a
fine collection of his paintings can be
seen in his house, which also has a
contemporary art gallery and a print
workshop offering summer courses.
The Quay Theatre puts on a lively
programme of events and close by
visitors can enjoy a lazy boat trip on
the River Stour followed by a cream tea
at the restored 18th-century Granary.
There is still a traditional market, a
farmers’ market on the last Friday of
each month plus a lovely range of shops
to explore.
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