Guide to Self-catering Cottages Holidays in Dedham and Constable Country on the Suffolk/Essex Border

Let us guide you on what the pretty village of Dednham has to offer for self-catering breaks or country cottage holidays.  Dedham is a special little village for a number of reasons.  Firstly, it is the village where John Constable, one of England's finest landscape painters attended Grammar School.  The school has long gone but the building can still be seen in the High Street.  John would have walked there each morning from the village of East Bergholt where he lived.  Ramblers today, quite possibly use the same well worn path and enjoy the same wonderful views.  

John Constable painted several views of Dedham Vale and the River Stour flowing through it. Some of these are entitled 'Dedham Vale', 'Dedham Mill', 'Dedham Vale with Ploughmen', 'View of Dedham', 'View on the Stour, near Dedham'.  John Constable adored the countryside of his home area and is well known for having said "I love every stile and stump and lane ..... these scenes made me a painter."

• If you feel inspired to take a cottage break in this part of East Anglia, click for more information on:

  
  Self-Catering Cottages in Constable Country

You may also find our pages on cottages in Dedham and cottages in Suffolk useful to find cottages in north Essex and south Suffolk which contain Constable Country.

	Dedham today, is a pleasant village with many old buildings dating back to the 14th-16th centuries.  Not as many have been preserved as in Lavenham, but it's still worth visiting for the John Constable connection.   The walk to East Bergholt is recommended and Flatford with the mill should not be missed.  Both are very beautiful in their own right. There are rowing boats to hire for an enjoyable time on the River Stour, just outside Dedham , on the road to Flatford.  The River Stour Trust run electric launch trips through Constable Country, every Sunday and Bank Holiday from Easter to early October.  Telephone 01787 372602. John Constable (artist), the great, great grandson of John Constable landscape painter, is the current president of the Trust. There are several pubs,  hotels and tea shops in the town which it give it a slightly 'touristy' feel.
Dedham Arts and Crafts Centre A disused church in the High Street has been converted to provide three floors of accommodation for local arts, crafts and beautiful items for the home. You will find furniture, soft furnishings, crockery, paintings, prints and many more items that you can purchase as quality souvenirs of your trip to Dedham and Constable Country. The restaurant is situated on the ground floor and is a welcome place for a lunch or snack.  It is open daily between 10am and 5pm, except for Mondays during January to March.  Telephone: 01206 322666	Dedham itself has been in existence since Saxon times with the inhabitants employed on the land, in farming. It  is also the village where John Constable attended Grammar School.  The school has long gone but the building can still be seen in the High Street.
The village has many amenities for both locals and holiday makers.  There is a sports ground with tennis courts, a place for ball games and a swing park for youngsters.
St. Mary's Church	One of the many lovely cottages used as family homes

Self-catering Holiday Cottages in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk

Find lovely self-catering cottages to stay in whilst exploring  Constable Country on the Essex and Suffolk border using the menu on the left.

There are lots of attractive country cottages to rent in Suffolk including historical cottages and thatched cottages.  Another feature of buildings in the area is brightly painted houses which are very pretty.  You may want to find a cottage with character features such as exposed beams or stone floors.  If you enjoy spending time outside it makes sense to rent a cottage with beautiful gardens, preferably with somewhere you can sit out and soak up the Suffolk countryside.