Think of Suffolk artists and one of the first names that’ll come to mind is Thomas Gainsborough, the 18th century portrait and landscape painter born in Sudbury and famous for works including The Blue Boy and Mr and Mrs Andrews. Thankfully his birthplace is still standing proud at 46 Gainsborough Street, Sudbury, and since 1961 has been home to a museum and art gallery celebrating his work.

In 2022 the museum reopened after a game-changing £10 million refurbishment making it the largest gallery in the county and it’s now a must-visit museum for anyone who lives in or visits Suffolk. It’s an important cultural gem that we’re proud to have on our doorstep.

On a visit here you can take a tour of Gainsborough’s beautiful childhood home, a Grade I-listed 18th-century Merchant house with an historic garden containing a 400-year-old Mulberry tree as well as enjoy the impressive gallery spaces in the new three-storey exhibition wing. There’s also a gorgeous café called The Watering Place, a shop full of tempting art-inspired buys and a smart space for study.

As well as being able to get close to important works by Gainsborough, the museum hosts ever-changing exhibitions by other artists. Current must-see exhibitions include Revealing Nature: the Art of Cedric Morris & Lett-Haines and The Iris Florilegium of Sir Cedric Morris. The museum is also home to a camera obscura that often goes on tour too.

Gainsborough’s House is the sort of place you can take the whole family and you don’t need to be into art to enjoy yourself and be wowed. There are regular seasonal events and workshops for both kids and adults, including Tom’s Tuesdays over the summer holidays – drop-in art sessions for children that focus on different subjects and mediums each time such as sculpture, printmaking and camera obscura. These sessions cost £5 and are recommended for age 3-12 years.

Images credits: Anne Purkiss, Hufton + Crow, Gainsborough’s House