The Museum of East Anglian Life proudly unveiled its new attractions for 2005 on March 20th 2005.  These were most notably the creation of a new Farm area and nature trails. The East Anglian Farm area provides a variety of activities, including feeding lambs, rabbits and chickens, grooming ponies and Suffolk Punch Horses, collecting eggs and visitors may even tickle our large black pigs.

Visitors in search of peace and quiet can now take a stroll along the several miles of new instated woodland and river nature trails. The walks take in several designated county wildlife sites including water meadows of the river Rattlesden and pasture brimming with wild flowers and orchids. There is a variety of wild animals to look out for with deer, hares and flocks of Norfolk long horn and Hebridean sheep and Red Poll Cattle, roaming in pasture unaltered for hundreds of years.

The new Around Stowmarket People sculpture trail was opened by the Director of the Museum Tony Butler.. Working in the museums re-erected Smithy, local artistic blacksmith Graham Chaplin created a series of outlines of visitors to the museum which have been placed throughout the site.




                                                                        



This year sees the beginning of what will be a five to six years development plan of the museum complex centred on Abbots Hall and Gardens.  The museum intends to restore the Hall and especially its gardens to their former glory, culminating in the reinstating of the 18th century ornamental grounds. Throughout the year there will tours of the Abbots Hall Gardens every Wednesday and Saturday at 11 and 2.30.

The Galloping Chef Comes to MEAL

The Galloping Chef, famous for running the renowned Elveden Food hall, Tea Rooms, and Bistro, has now taken over the catering franchise at the Museum of East Anglian Life.

Fantastic food is now available in our Bistro and Tea Room or you can eat outside on tables in Home Close. We specialise in providing locally sourced produce, lovingly prepared, and served in agreeable surroundings at competitive prices.  For more details click here.