River Stour in Constable Country near Ipswich
Rowing boats on the Stour south of Ipswich
The stunning landscape of Dedham Vale AONB south of IpswichAround Ipswich are a diverse range of outdoor activities and attractions from the stunning landscape of Dedham Vale and Constable Country south of Ipswich to the historic Suffolk wool towns to the west. Further south of Ipswich beyond Dedham Vale and the Stour sits historic Colchester in Essex, rich in Roman history (Colchester was once the capital of Roman Britain) and featuring spectacular castle remains and many museums. Colchester is within easy driving distance of Polstead, Higham, Dedham Vale and Stoke by Nayland.
» Find Accommodation in Ipswich
Idyllic historic villages around Dedham Vale and the Stour Valley including Polstead, Higham and Stoke by Nayland are ideally situated for easy access into Constable Country on the Suffolk/Essex border. Beautiful walking trails in the area run through picturesque river valleys and ancient woodland. Visitors based south of Ipswich in Dedham Vale including in Constable's birthplace East Bergholt will find ample choice of fine traditional real ale inns, craft shops and medieval churches.
South of Ipswich via the A12 is the stunning landscape of Dedham Vale and the Stour Valley, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Dedham Vale features the famous Essex/Suffolk border Constable Country around Flatford, Dedham and East Bergholt. Revolutionary English landscape painter of his day John Constable was born at East Bergholt in this area of the Essex/Suffolk border in 1776. Constable painted and studied his own local area. The landscapes of Dedham Vale and the Stour Valley were made famous by Constable who featured various sites in his paintings particularly Flatford Mill and Lock and nearby Willy Lott's House, site for his most famous painting 'The Haywain' (1821). A selection of paintings by Constable are on display at Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich which is good place to begin the John Constable trail in the area.
Pretty villages in the area including Polstead, Higham and Stoke by Nayland all serve as perfect holiday bases from which to explore the area and Constable Country.
Attractions around Dedham Vale and the Stour include fine traditional inns serving Suffolk real ales. Local produce including organic produce and farming features strongly in the area. In the villages of Dedham Vale you will find many craft shops, art galleries, fine food shops and restaurants, cafes and pubs serving locally produced food and drink. There are numerous opportunities for walking and cycling around Dedham Vale and villages like Polstead.
Historic Suffolk Halls around Ipswich include Otley Hall to the north. Otley Hall sits eight miles north of Ipswich and is a stunning Grade I listed 16th century moated Suffolk Hall set within 10 acres of magnificent gardens. Otley Hall welcomes groups for historical tours by appointment. This beautiful Suffolk Hall is also available for weddings, conferences and functions. Find Otley hall off the B1079 in the pretty village of Otley.
Polstead village sits alongside the River Box across from Stoke by Nayland. The village features a beautiful Grade I listed medieval church and the famous Polstead Heath which is home to a 19th century cherry orchard. Polstead is one of Suffolk's largest parishes and is a wonderfully peaceful location with a village Green, traditional pub, a community shop and farm shop plus the popular Polstead caravan park. Ideal as a walking base, many footpaths and bridleways branch out from Polstead village into stunning ancient woodland.
Stoke by Nayland village overlooks both the Stour and Box river valleys and features a striking old Guildhall as well as the stunning 15th century St Mary church which features in several of John Constable's paintings. Around Stoke by Nayland village are exquisite traditional real ale pubs like The Crown Inn. The Best Western Stoke by Nayland Hotel boasts two 18 hole Championship Golf Courses aptly named Gainsborough and Constable. Both Polstead and Stoke by Nayland are ideally situated for easy access to Constable Country and Flatford Mill.
Accommodation near Ipswich includes camping and caravan parks in Polstead and welcoming B&Bs in Nayland. Stunning riverside villages to the west and south of Ipswich contain a wide choice of bed and breakfast accommodation within easy reach of Dedham Vale and Constable Country. Find B&Bs in Dedham Vale listed here on iknow East Anglia with strong links to painter John Constable such as the Granary B&B close to Flatford Mill which was once owned by Constable's father.
Bunkhouse group accommodation in Dedham Vale can be found in Manningtree from where walking trails lead all the way to Flatford Mill, Dedham and Constable Country. Period Grade Listed holiday cottages near Ipswich are numerous around the Dedham Vale villages to the south.
