Exploring on foot

There are some stunning walks from the lodges around Flatford and East Bergholt and over to Dedham and Stratford St Mary.

Flatford Mill:

Flatford Mill, and Dedham is on your left from the gate down to Flatford Mill, National Trust site in Dedham Vale. Enjoy a lunch or a drink by the River Stour from the Tea Room. Walk along to the Mill Pool and ahead is Willy Lott’s cottage which featured John Constable’s famous painting The Hay Wain.

1. Much prettier than the road, from the gate out of the lodges immediately right a footpath tales you back along the fence down to a large field designated for dog exercise, cross it and turn left to Willy’s Lott’s cottage.

East Bergholt:

Turn right from the gate, ascend the hill to the crossroad. Up Gandish Road opposite, 200 yards, is a large recreation ground with children’s play area and in the far corner tennis courts. At the Constable Memorial Hall you can join the Cinema when it’s on. Or turn left passing Orange and Lemons for a wholesome homemade meal and hot chocolate and along St Mary’s church, with its medieval wooden Bell Cage, extremely rare. Thence to the village, super bakery for treats, Tea Room for homemade cakes or lunches, Co-Op store. The Lion Brasserie has a large garden and offers gourmet food. Following Gaston Street and round the corner on Heath Road you’ll find Carrier’s Arms and the Hare and Hounds, both with lovely gardens.

Beside the Co-Op, Cemetery Lane leads to a public foothpath taking you across a hill 2 miles to Stratford St Mary, where Hall Farm shop offers excellent meat and other delicatessens. Great place for lunch while you watch the livestock pass by.

At the crossroad in the right direction, you’ll discover Place for Plants and its spectacular gardens. Would you like to earn your food and drink walk along Straight Road to either The Dickie – Royal Oak, or fairly new to the village, Fields Farm Shop & Cafe.

Dedham:

From the bridge crossing the River Stour you can walk to Dedham. A picturesque village, two good pubs the Marlborough, and The Sun, both dog-friendly, and an art&craft center in the old chapel. The road left, a mile or so, brings you to the Munnings Museum, Alfred Munnings’s house, studio, gallery and Tea Room all in lovely grounds; a splendid collection of his famed paintings of horses. Look for The Boathouse restaurant where you can hire little boats to explore the countryside by water.

Walks

The Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley have some amazing walks around East Bergholt, Dedham and Flatford helping you get to know the area.

Guides can be found HERE

https://www.dedhamvalestourvalley.org/visiting/visitor-information/visitor-guides/walk-guides/

Another tool to get the know the area is the East Bergholt Society website, filled with history facts, historical and modern day maps and show all 197 Local John Constable painting sites in the village, another source for a good walk from the heart of the village, over the Donkey Track and down towards Flatford via Flatford Lane.

https://www.ebsoc.org.uk/