Must-see exhibitions in the East of England
Want to catch the must-see exhibitions in the East of England? From Turner's historic portrait paintings to Frank Bowling's contemporary abstract works, don't miss out on these phenomenal shows.
The East of England is rich in cultural landmarks – from the stunning Jacobean architecture of Audley End House and Gardens in Saffron Walden, with its grounds designed by Capability Brown, to the world-renowned collections at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, home to over 500,000 works of art.
A day out here could include exploring the archaeological collections at Colchester Castle, which span 2,500 years of history, or wandering through Kettle's Yard in Cambridge, where modern art is displayed across a series of elegant rooms. And if you're looking to hone in on the very best exhibitions currently on show in the area, this is the list you've been looking for.
Read on for our guide to some of the biggest blockbuster exhibitions in the East of England open now.
Don't forget to pack your National Art Pass to get great benefits at every venue, and check out our full listings for more upcoming exhibitions.
Discover some of the best exhibitions in the East of England with an Art Pass
Gainsborough, Turner, and Constable
From rich oil paintings to delicate watercolours, marvel at over 40 works by three historic British artists who popularised the genre: John Constable, Thomas Gainsborough and JMW Turner. In this major exhibition celebrating 250 years since Constable's birth, explore the impact that their art and Suffolk's landscapes had on their contemporaries in Britain and Europe.
Living by the Rule: Contemporary meets Medieval
What are your rules to live by? This exhibition makes fascinating connections between medieval monastic ideas around how to live and how we now organise our lives in the modern world. Historic items – such as a 6th-century guidebook for monks living together, or one of the only medieval paintings to survive the Reformation – are presented alongside contemporary works of art.
Frank Bowling: Seeking the Sublime
Bask in the bold colours of Frank Bowling's paintings. The contemporary British artist has been creating work for almost seven decades and this exhibition offers a survey into Bowling's life and work, from his earlier figurative works made in the 1960s to his recent abstract paintings. From Titian to Turner, dive into the artists that have influenced him and see some of their works in the museum's permanent galleries.
Constable: A Cast of Characters
John Constable is considered one of Britain's greatest landscape painters from the Romantic period, and 2026 marks 250 years since his birth. So, to celebrate, Christchurch Mansion are staging this major exhibition, diving into this beloved artist's enduring legacy and the people he encountered along the way.
Relative Ties: Mabel Nicholson, Nancy Nicholson, EQ Nicholson and Louisa Creed
Trace the creative lineage across three generations of working women artists from the Nicholson family. Starting with Mabel Nicholson (1871-1918) and ending with Louisa Creed (b. 1937), the exhibition spans 100 years of the family's creative output, while providing fresh insight into their working lives as artists and designers.