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Painting by John Joseph Cotman (detail)

The Norfolk Broads and the county's extensive coastline continue to inspire artists from around the world and the towns of Norfolk and the city of Norwich retain and generate a rich artistic legacy.

In the early 19th century, the Norwich School Of Painters featuring John Crome, Joseph Stannard, John Sell Cotman, his son John Joseph Cotman and James Stark, among others, formed the first major art movement outside of London.

Although the movement was short-lived, these artists succeeded in capturing the beauty of the wide, flat landscapes, open skies and windmills of Norfolk in their impressive body of work.

Innovative Pop Art painter Colin Self is another artist to have been born in Norwich, as was Pre-Raphaelite painter and illustrator Frederick Sandys.

And in 2007, Norfolk artist Patrick Boswell has switched his artistic from the coastlines of the county, to create a series of cityscapes of urban Norwich.

Words and music

The influential 17th century writer Thomas Browne also hails from Norwich. Best-known for his book Religio Medici featuring his thought on God, man and nature, he is commemorated with a statue on Hay Hill, Norwich.

Philip Pullman

Anna Sewell, the author of Black Beauty, was born in Great Yarmouth and popular fantasy author Philip Pullman, writer of His Dark Materials trilogy was also born in Norwich.

The creative writing course at the University of East Anglia has spawned several acclaimed novelists including Booker Prize winners Ian McEwan and Kazuo Ishiguro. Folk singer Beth Orton is from the county, as is successful singer and songwriter Cathy Dennis.

Made In England

Made In England is a joint partnership between ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ 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.

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 - get involved. Visit the main Made In England site to find out how you can get your creative juices flowing.