Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket, Suffolk

A Window into the Rural Heritage in Eastern England

May 18, 2009

The Museum of East Anglican Life is a family-friendly attraction covering 78 acres. The museum shows how people lived in the primarily rural region of East Anglia.

Set behind the Stowmarket Tourist Information Office, next to Asda in the small town centre, this open-air museum has a good mix of displays, animals and working machinery, with something for everyone. The 78-acre size of the museum is not at all apparent from the entrance.

Home Close, a View Into East Anglian Agricultural Customs and Tools

The first exhibit is the "Home Close", which features a large threshing barn and a range of tools. To a modern eye the most striking aspect is that everything is human- or horse- powered, and how many specialised tools there are - including a device specifically to harvest beets.

The reliance on hand power meant that at harvest time farmers needed more manpower, and the display of Gypsy caravans reminds us of the role that travellers played in resourcing seasonal manpower. Some of these are fabulously ornate (see photo)

Nearby, there is a mock-up of typical Victorian kitchen, washroom and some stores. Once again everything is hand-powered, and the sheer effort required for washday looks incredible to modern eyes. This exhibit ends with a 1950s kitchen with all mod cons - where finally electricity supplants elbow grease for washing.

Industrial Zone – Ransomes of Ipswich and Woods of Colchester

A gentle climb takes the isitor to the Industrial Zone. Although East Anglia lacks coal and iron ore there was a lot of engineering industry in the region, servicing the agricultural needs of the region. Ransomes of Ipswich was a household name in machinery up until the 1970s, and Woods of Colchester churned out an incredible number of lathes and precision tools from late victorian times until the end of the Second World War. The steam traction engines are sometimes taken out for display and appeal to boys of all ages.

Home Farm – Collection of Typical Farm Animals

Another hit with children, the display of pigs, goats and other farm animals includes some rare Suffolk breeds. There is a contact zone where visitors can interact with some of the small animals at some times.

A complete working mill was moved from Ipswich to the museum, and the intricate though crudely crafted mechanism is remarkable. Visitors can see this operating a couple of times in the day.

River Rat Nature Area

After Home farm visitors can either return to the entrance, or can continue past the windmill to visit the nature reserve and picnic area which covers 30 acres by the side of the river Rattlesden.

The Museum of East Anglian Life is an extensive attraction which does well in its aim of showing how people lived and worked in the region in the last couple of centuries. It neatly complements the West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village which is a glimpse at how people lived just before mediaeval times.

Museum of East Anglian Life Location and Opening Times

The Museum is open from Easter to the end of October, and tickets are £6.50 adult and £3.50 child (2009 prices). Visitors should note that the carpark on the opposite side of the road to the Asda car park is cheaper, both are council pay-and-display car parks.

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