Guide to self-catering holidays and country cottages in Constable Country

Want to holiday in Constable Country in Suffolk and Essex?  Read our guide to discover some of the best places that Constable Country in East Anglia has to offer. 

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Where is Constable Country?

Constable Country is an area in Suffolk and Essex, named after the artist John Constable, who depicted some of the best of the area in his art work.  John Constable (1776-1837) was one of England's most famous landscape painters,  probably best known for the 'Hay wain',  'The Valley Farm' and 'Flatford Mill'.  Constable lived and painted scenes on the Essex/Suffolk border, which is demarcated by the River Stour, and which features in several of his best known paintings. Constable Country covers much of the Dedham Vale National Landscape.

Why Book a Holiday in Constable Country?

With scenic water meadows, riverside scenery, countryside and pretty villages to discover and explore, Constable Country covers some of the most idyllic areas of Suffolk and Essex.  Whether you enjoy walking, cycling, boating or wildlife watching, Constable Country can be an absolute joy to discover on a holiday of a few days, or a longer stay.

So Who Was John Constable? 

John Constable was born in East Bergholt, Suffolk in 1776 to a prosperous corn merchant and his wife. He was educated at Dedham Grammar School and after leaving, joined the family business - he father owned the flour mill at Flatford.  His heart, however, was in painting, and after several years in the family business, left to join the Royal Academy, and to study art seriously.  Success came very slowly, partly because landscape painting was not in vogue at the time, and like most painters, he was not really appreciated until after his death. He did not sell a single painting until he was thirty nine years old. The death of his father left him with a substantial inheritance which enabled him to indulge his passion for painting.
      
Many of the beautiful scenes that Constable painted can still be identified today. If you visit Suffolk and North Essex you will understand why Constable was inspired by the countryside around him and why this area where he lived and worked is now known as Constable Country.

After his marriage, Constable and his wife moved to Hampstead in London.  He also made visits to Salisbury and the south coast where he painted 'Salisbury Cathedral ; from the meadows' and  'Chain Pier, Brighton'.
Plagued by depression in middle age, Constable's later works like 'The Valley Farm' and 'Stoke-by-Nayland', were full of brooding shadows and gloomy skies, which may have been reflections of his own mood.
 
Constable frequently returned to Suffolk to paint the scenes that he remembered so well from his earlier, and perhaps happier life.
 

 

Where are the Best Places to Visit in Constable Country?

The National Trust’s Flatford Mill 

For those who are not familiar with the area, if you enjoy beautiful scenery, pretty villages and history, then you will simply adore Constable Country.

You too can search out the places where Constable lived, worked and painted, and find inspiration.
      
Visit the National Trust’s Flatford Mill near Flatford where John Constable grew up.  Discover the rural and river views that inspired him.  Visit the Bridge Cottage tea rooms, follow the riverside trails, visit Will Lott’s Cottage, discover the RSPB wildlife garden or hire a rowing boat for some fun on the river.
 

 

Dedham 

The village of Dedham is where John Constable went to school.  There are still some beautiful historic school buildings in the village, as well as country inns, charming historic and timber-framed buildings, gift shops and tea rooms.  There are also some superb riverside walks to enjoy.

East Bergholt

East Bergholt is a pretty village ripe with ample charming historic buildings, charming pubs and excellent walks through the Stour Valley can be found from the village.

Nayland and Stoke-by-Nayland

Both Nayland and Stoke by Nayland are in the heart of Constable Country, and were painted by the artist.  Both villages enjoy beautiful riverside settings and are rich with historic buildings.

One of John Constables paintings of Stoke-by-Nayland are found in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

 

Discover your own favourite part of Constable Country on Holiday

John Constable is likely to have explored many parts of the Dedham Vale National Landscape and even painted areas around Mistley closer to Colchester.

For some of the best scenes in the area, walks and hikes along the Stour Valley come highly recommended.

Wherever in Constable Country you choose to explore on holiday, we hope you find your own favourite areas.  For experiencing some of the best of the area, look out for character cottages and beautiful timber-framed holiday holiday homes.