Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket - 01449 676 800 tic@midsuffolk.gov.uk

Stowmarket - In Domesday it was simply Stou (from OE stowe meaning a meeting place). "Market" was first recorded in 1268.

Stowmarket is a small market town situated in Suffolk, England, on the busy A14 trunk road between Bury St Edmunds to the West and Ipswich to the South-East. The town is on the main rail line between London and Norwich, and has an approximate population of 19,000. It is the largest town in the Mid Suffolk district and is represented in parliament by the MP for Bury St Edmunds, currently David Ruffley. Stowmarket lies on the River Gipping, which is joined by its tributary, the River Rat, to the South of the town.

The town was granted a market charter in 1347 by Edward III. A bi-weekly market is still held there today on Thursday and Saturday.

The church of St Peter and St Mary is in the 'Decorated' style and dates to the 14th century. The 16th century former vicarage, now the Town Council offices and register office, has associations with John Milton, and 'Milton’s Tree' in its grounds is believed to be an offshoot of one of the many trees he planted there.

Opened in 1967, the Museum of East Anglian Life occupies a 70 acre site close to the town centre.