Constable Country 1

Brian and Anne Sandland

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This walk complements Constable Country 2 and 3, which are also available through Walkingworld. You will visit three beautiful and historic villages, each with a large number of very interesting houses and other fine buildings. In Dedham the church is one which figured in a large number of Constable's paintings. The old schoolhouse shows evidence of very early graffiti (engraved into the bricks). There are a surprising number of inns and in East Bergholt you can find the former home of Randolph Churchill and the site of the Constables' house. There is also a house on which you will see the sign 'Dealer in Hatts' (sic). It is now a private dwelling, called The Old House. In Stratford St Mary look out for The Ancient House and the Old Cage House among many more. You will also find the 11th Commandment painted on the wall of the house named Gatemans (it was clearly being broken on the day we prepared the walk!) The beautiful River Stour is one to which you will want to return and this walk follows a goodly length of it.

England - East England - Suffolk - Dedham Vale

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Good for Kids, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Museum, National Trust, Play Area, Pub, River, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife
6/1/2020 - Duncan Spencer

Did this delightful walk today. In general it is a lovely, relatively quiet walk (apart from the section at Statford St Mary, where it is close to the busy A12). I repeated the walk after lunch and this time cut off Stratford St Mary and the river walk. Shortening it by following the footpath beside Startford Hall Farm and then cutting across to the Dedham Road and back to the start. I feel this would be an ideal walk for my wife who struggles with anything over 5K. Thank you for this delightful stroll through the South Suffolk/North Essex border.

9/11/2017 - Richard Burton

I completed this walk over the weekend and somehow lost the path between points 5 and 6. I would suggest walkers do not go right unless they know their way. Instead go straight on, or perhaps left at point 5. Going right leads through an ancient wood and is a nice walk but ends up on the very busy A12 with a difficult route back to Stratford St Mary.

4/28/2017 - Eileen King

Lovely walk - very straightfoward, lots of clear signposts and good pubs on the way round

7/26/2016 - Paul Barnes

Did walk July 2016. Car park no longer free. Be aware first parking area reserved for coaches on weekdays, although no bays marked. About 20 cars had tickets (£70) for parking there.

6/5/2012 - kevin Hartley

Did this walk June 2nd 2012. No problems with navigation etc, all way marks clearly signed. Some good pubs too.

10/27/2008 - Walkingworld Administrator

Thank you to Adrian Perkins for his updates on this walk October 2008.