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Known as Constable Country, the landscapes of Suffolk’s Stour Valley were brought to life in John Constable’s evocative paintings such as ‘Dedham Vale’ and ‘The Hay Wain’.

The pond that inspired 'The Hay Wain'

18th century painter Thomas Gainsborough lived and worked in Ipswich. Nowadays the town hosts an annual festival called Ip-Art and has galleries at Christchurch Mansion, the Town Hall and the Ancient House.

Every July the Latitude Festival in Southwold showcases music, poetry, literature and comedy as hundreds of acts perform at the eclectic and diverse event.

Charles Dickens stayed in both Ipswich and Lowestoft, using them as inspiration for scenes in ‘The Pickwick Papers’ and ‘David Copperfield’. George Orwell spent time in Southwold as a teenager, later penning the work ‘Burmese Days’ there.

In the 14th century, Geoffrey Chaucer satirised the merchants of Ipswich in ‘The Canterbury Tales’.

Composer Benjamin Britten hailed from Lowestoft, whilst more recently spandex clad rockers The Darkness also put the town on England’s musical map.

Legendary DJ John Peel lived in Great Finborough near Stowmarket and often mentioned the area during his broadcasts. Maverick record producer Brian Eno was born and still lives in the county.

Made in England

Made in England is a joint partnership between ´óÏó´«Ã½ English Regions and Arts Council England to bring audiences and artists together in unique collaborations to provide exciting new cultural experiences.

It is a project dedicated to exploring how England – the place and the people - is expressed through creative and artistic forms.

Think about the Lake District - dramatic and elegant, the lush greens and icy blues depicting an unspoilt England. William Wordsworth was so inspired by the landscape he wrote poems, sonnets and ballads dedicated to it.

Non-traditional art is just as important to recognise - graffiti on the streets, estates built in the Sixties, and even regional accents. Does this architecture, history and culture inspire you to think of all things English?

If you’re bursting with enthusiasm at the thought of creating something - why don’t you see how you can get involved? Visit the main Made in England site to find out how you can get your creative juices flowing.

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Hideous Kinky author Esther Freud tells us about Suffolk 'on a silvery blue February day', in a tale about nature, the past and the future.