Must-see exhibitions in the East of England
Want to catch the must-see exhibitions in the East of England? From Polly Braden's photographs of coastal communities to the history of the witch trials in Suffolk, 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
Polly Braden: Against The Tide
In a new project by documentary photographer Polly Braden, journey to the UK's coastal towns and meet the young people who call them home. Spanning Scarborough to Blackpool, Braden travelled across England and Wales to collaborate with her subjects. The result is an intimate series of photographs that tell their stories and illuminate the challenges they face, from the precarity of seasonal employment to the building of creative communities.
Read an interview with Polly Braden from the summer 2026 issue of Art Quarterly, Art Fund's membership magazine.
Witches: Suffolk’s Dark Legacy
From Circe in Homer's Odyssey, who transformed men into animals, to the Three Witches in Shakespeare's Macbeth, who lead him to his downfall – the figure of the witch has long captured the public imagination. But did you know? The fascination with the witch had devastating consequences, resulting in the marginalisation, torture and execution of thousands of women. In this exhibition, dive into the legacy of the Suffolk witch trials between 1645 and 1647, and learn about the people most impacted by this dark story.
What Remains
To mark 40 years since the formation of The Women's Art Collection in Cambridge, this celebration spotlights an installation by American conceptual and feminist artist Mary Kelly. In 1986, Kelly undertook an artist residency at Murray Edwards College, during which she created Extase, a series of images that reference the historical diagnosis of 'female hysteria'. This was acquired by the College, who then invited other women artists to donate works, resulting in over 70 donations and subsequently the birth of The Women's Art Collection in 1992.
Sunil Gupta: Life With a Camera, 1970 – Now
From intimate portraits of friends to a series documenting New York's queer community after the 1969 Stonewall riots, artist and activist Sunil Gupta's photographs have been spotlighting the personal and the political for over five decades. In this major survey, trace Gupta's life and career as he travelled across the world, from New Delhi to London via Montreal and New York, while raising awareness for queer rights.
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.