Pictures of Dedham Vale

a Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the county of Suffolk

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About Dedham Vale

Dedham Vale is also known as "Constable Country", it is designated an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), and the place where the famous painter John Constable was born. John spent most of his life in these parts, just as his father before him. He attended the local Grammar school in the late 18th century, and it the romantic landscape of this beautiful vale in the Stour Valley that inspired Constable to produce most of his famous works of art.

Another famous East Anglican artist, Sir Alfred Munnings, lived in Dedham Vale, he was born in 1878 and went to live at Castle House after he married in 1920. Sir Alfred, lost the sight of one eye early in his career, none-the-less he achieved remarkable success. After his death in 1959, Lady Munnings eventually opened the house as a fitting memorial to the talent of her husband, and like many of the places associated with John Constable, Castle House is open for public viewing.

Most of the land around here is owned by the National Trust, so too are many of the buildings. The vale possesses one of the most familiar of all English churches, St.Mary's, built around 1500, whose silhouette can be seen in several of Constable's paintings.

The countryside of Dedham Vale is mostly agricultural. In summer behind green hedges the ground is covered with ripened corn which unlike the sheaves of yester-year, is rolled into giant Swiss rolls, but they reflect the soft Suffolk sunlight just as effectively.

This is a lovely place to visit, not just for its famous connections, but as much for the magical atmosphere of a place that appears little changed for centuries. Most particularly, the scene at Flatford beside the River Stour has changed little since John Constable painted Willy Lott's Cottage early in the 19th century. It has the same timeless charm, and completely English peace as when Constable and Munnings strode through the lanes and wandered dreamily along the river banks.

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Recommended attractions near Dedham Vale

	Gainsborough's House (0.5 miles, 0.9 km) An unusual and elegant joining of two old fashioned properties from the 1500's made this an attractive home for the Gainsborough..... Information | Hotels
	Melford Hall (2.9 miles, 4.6 km, direction N) The octagonal towers with their stately onion domes rise above this russet brick building towards the broad Suffolk skies. ..... Information | Pictures (13) | Hotels
	Lavenham Guildhall (5.5 miles, 8.8 km, direction NE) Built by Corpus Christi, Lavenham's Guildhall is a magnificent 16th century timber-framed tudor building, now maintained by The..... Information | Pictures (5) | Hotels
	Hedingham Castle (6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction SW) .. Information | Pictures (24) | Hotels
	Clare Castle Country Park (6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction W) .. Information | Hotels

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Recommended towns & villages near Dedham Vale

	Sudbury (0.0 miles, 0.0 km) Sudbury is an ancient market town full of evocative memories. It was the birthplace of Gainsborough one of England's greatest painters... Information | Pictures (6) | Hotels
	Long Melford (2.2 miles, 3.5 km, direction N) The picturesque village of Long Melford lies in the heart of the beautiful valley of the Stour River... Information | Pictures (47) | Hotels
	Lavenham (5.6 miles, 9.1 km, direction NE) Wonderful clusters of fine Tudor houses, all gracious in age, offer the visitor a glimpse of just how a prosperous wool town must have looked during its' hey-day in the middle..... Information | Pictures (63) | Hotels
	Castle Hedingham (6.4 miles, 10.2 km, direction SW) Set in enchanting border countryside where the fine old counties of Suffolk and Essex meet, lies the delightful village of Castle Hedingham which has pleasant buildings and an historic castle to explore... Information | Pictures (26) | Hotels
	Polstead (7.8 miles, 12.5 km, direction E) This delightful village has all the charm of a picture postcard. Almost overlooking the main village street and the village pond is the beautiful church dedicated to St. Mary which has the only medieval stone spire in Suffolk... Information | Hotels

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Nearby travel help

Sudbury Station

Bures Station

M11 Junction 9

London Stansted Airport

M11 Junction 10

Cambridge Airport

Accommodation & Hotels near Dedham Vale

Hotel Name

Hotel Elizabeth The Mill

The Black Boy

The Olde Bull Hotel

The Boathouse Hotel ****

Tarantella Hotel & Restaurant

The Bull Hotel

The Black Lion Hotel And Restaurant

The George

Queens House Guest House

The Swan

All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts