About Stowmarket

Stowmarket is an attractive market town that people want to visit, live in and work in because they know it is a community that cares about its heritage, has a full range of local facilities and has a positive perspective on its future development.

Stowmarket is the largest town in the district of Mid Suffolk and sits on the A14 equidistant between Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds. It is a rapidly growing town with excellent rail links to London (1h 25m) and Cambridge (1h 10m)

Mentioned in the Doomsday Book, when it had a population of just 200, the medieval heart of Stowmarket lies around the parish church of St. Peter and St. Mary and in the area leading down to the riverbank. Today the town has 131 buildings listed by the Department of National Heritage as buildings of special architectural or historic interest and one, the parish church, is classified as being of “exceptional interest”. The large Town Centre Conservation Area has a predominance of Georgian architecture within it.

Edward III granted the Town a market charter in July 1347 and the market continues to serve local people every Thursday and Saturday in the Market Place – this popular traditional market is supplemented with monthly Farmers Markets and regular continental and specialist markets.

Despite being a market town, Stowmarket has a strong manufacturing and industrial history which is reflected in the world famous brands such as Dulux, Muntons and Bosch whose products continue to be made in Stowmarket today. Stowmarket was one of England’s major producers of malt with over 70 different maltings and the canalisation of the River Gipping in 1793 allowed its products to be transported to Ipswich and then London. Even today the malt for the centre of every Malteser comes from Muntons !

Stowmarket is also home to the Museum of East Anglian Life - a unique rural based museum covering 70 acres in the heart of the town, here you can see a number of working engines including the Empress of Britain steam traction engine, browse in a traditional grocers shop, visit a Victorian schoolroom or the charming ‘Tin Tabernacle’ chapel.

Physical Environment

The future planning and development relating to the growth of the town and it’s physical infrastructure are outlined in Stowmarket Area Action Plan which was adopted by Mid Suffolk District Council in 2013. In particular to note is the importance given to improving the vitality of the town centre, supporting retailers and increasing the number of shops plus encouraging both shoppers and tourists to the area.

Stowmarket’s Strengths

• Growing population, especially young families
• Affluent surrounding area
• Many Independent and family run shops
• Several large manufacturing businesses
• Easily accessible by both road and rail
• Very good quality of life with very low levels of crime and deprivation

Opportunities in Stowmarket

• Progressive regeneration of the town centre
• Improvement of the cultural offer in the town with more live music and events
• More attractions at the Museum of East Anglian Life
• Future plans for at least 2,200 new homes
• Development of a new 36 ha Business and Enterprise park to attract up to 3,000 new jobs to the town

Stowmarket Town Centre

The population of Stowmarket has increased at 4 times the national average of any market town, yet the town centre is still the hub for local shoppers.

Stowmarket has a wide range of family and independent stores that provide goods that range from TV’s to fashion clothing. 

Stowmarket is not a ‘clone town’ and continues to attract a range of interesting and diverse shops. There are several easily accessible public car parks within a 1 minute walk of the town centre.

The Station Quarter

This area around the railway station, which itself is a Grade II listed building, has plans for an exciting redevelopment to include riverside apartments, hotel and restaurants with public space for people to relax and spend time by the river bank.

Community Facilities and Events

Stowmarket has a swimming pool, leisure centre, several playing fields and green spaces and loads of sports clubs including the popular football and rugby clubs. There is a skateboard park and a growing interest in parkour.

The Mix is a new state of the art building to support young people. Stowmarket also has many social, leisure and hobby groups and clubs ranging from Beekeeping to Family History!

The Art Deco style Regal Cinema has recently been refurbished and shows the latest films along with live theatre and entertaining shows. The exciting Stowmarket Festival continues to grow every summer with days packed full of music and entertainment plus the annual Carnival in July is always a popular event. The Beer & Brewing Festival at the Museum attracts visitors from around the region. There is always something going on in Stowmarket!