Suffolk's Food Museum will be hosting a photographic exhibition, Forty Farms, documenting the lives of 40 Cumbrian farmers.

The display at the Stowmarket museum by Amy Bateman, British Life Photographer of the Year and Cumbrian farmer, will run from Saturday, May 25 until February 2025.

The William Bone Building, the museum's recently renovated exhibition space, will house the show.

During 2020, Ms Bateman embarked on a journey across the Lake District and Cumbria to record the stories of Forty Farms to culminate in to a coffee table publication.

East Anglian Daily Times: The exhibition documents the stories of 40 Cumbrian farmers The exhibition documents the stories of 40 Cumbrian farmers (Image: Amy Bateman)

Ms Bateman's exploration took her from the Herdwick-grazed commons of the Lake District to the expansive marshes of Solway, documenting farmsteads untouched for generations and businesses at the forefront of innovation.

From international sheep breeders to award-winning cheese makers, her book visually captures farming during a time of significant shift.

The exhibition doesn’t just stop at the canvas, as Ms Bateman's book and prints will be made available for purchase in the Food Museum shop.

East Anglian Daily Times: Amy Bateman is the British Life Photographer of the Year and Cumbrian farmer Amy Bateman is the British Life Photographer of the Year and Cumbrian farmer (Image: Amy Bateman)

Visitors will also get to enjoy delicious culinary samplings inspired by the exhibition in the museum's adjoining demonstration kitchen.

Ms Bateman said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be working with The Food Museum to bring Forty Farms to Suffolk for this stop on its national tour.

"It’s so important to me to tell the stories of the people and landscape of Cumbria and what a spectacular location to continue the exhibition's journey.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Uncover stories of Cumbrian farmers at Suffolk's Food Museum exhibit Uncover stories of Cumbrian farmers at Suffolk's Food Museum exhibit (Image: Amy Bateman)

Among the contributors to the Pieces and exhibition are best-selling author James Rebanks, L’Enclume’s Simon Rogan, and veteran damson grower Harley Trotter.

Forty Farms, already on a national tour, will be making its stop in East Anglia after departing South Lakes.

Admission to the exhibition and tasters is included with the standard museum ticket.