Pictures of Polstead

in the county of Suffolk

Take a picture tour of Polstead

About Polstead

Looking around this picturesque village few would have thought it to be the scene of a gruesome murder, but it was. The murder eventually became known as the Red Barn Murder when in 1827 the body of William Corder was found buried in a barn. He had been killed by his lover Maria Marten, whose cottage stood in Martens Lane. It is a chilling tale for so picturesque a place, for the village is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the midst of the light and shade of East Anglia's beautiful countryside which was the inspiration for many of Constable's beautiful paintings.

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. The rich interior of the church is a glowing combination of stark white walls, red brick arches, stone floors, and intricately carved ancient woodwork, central to which is the magnificent pulpit and beautiful alter-rails. Outside, the church is surrounded by a well tended churchyard full of ancient tombs and gravestones from centuries past.

Village cottages and houses are in a variety of architectural styles, a village pond adds to the timeless enchanted feel of Polstead which is also famous for luscious Polstead Black Cherries growing in many of the surrounding orchards, and sold in supermarkets all over the country. The Cock Inn is a pleasant place for a quiet drink and enjoyable meal, and there is a well stocked village stores and post office. Polstead acknowledges the villagers who died in two World Wars with an impressive War Memorial occupying a commanding position overlooking spacious open countryside.

This village makes a lovely destination for a romantic weekend, within the tempting range of accommodation for visitors is a pretty touring park for tents and caravans which is in a picturesque position close to the village.

Polstead is in the south of Suffolk, between Hadleigh and Nayland and is but a short distance from Ipswich and Sudbury, the birthplace of painter Thomas Gainsborough.

Add town to favourites

Submit a history of Polstead

Recommended towns & villages near Polstead

	Nayland The heady beauty of Suffolk has been the inspiration of artist's for centuries and the village of Nayland, in the hear of Constable country is no exception... Information \| Pictures (1) \| Hotels
	Kersey Quintessentially English village of a style for which Suffolk is renowned. Winding streets full of exquisite properties, some dating back to Tudor times... Information \| Pictures (5) \| Hotels
	Dedham There are two things that immediately strike you about this enchanting village, the first is the opulence of the beautiful 15th-century church, and the second is the fascinating view of the River Stour, which, like the church, has featured in Constable paintings... Information \| Pictures (24) \| Hotels
	East Bergholt This enchanting village gained lasting fame as Constable's birth place. It also has a very unusual medieval bell cage... Information \| Pictures (11) \| Hotels
	Flatford On arrival in Flatford there is little to prepare you for its overwhelming beauty, but you should not be surprised, for this after all is Constable Country, an area made famous by the great landscape painter and which features in so many of his pictures... Information \| Pictures (24) \| Hotels

All towns in Suffolk
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Recommended attractions near Polstead

	Dedham Art and Craft Centre One of East Anglia´s leading art and craft centres. This converted church, in the heart of Constable Country, has 3 extensive..... Information \| Pictures (1) \| Hotels
	Bridge Cottage Beautiful 16th-century thatched cottage, and home to an exhibition on the artist John Constable... Information \| Hotels
	Flatford Mill Standing on the River Stour beneath the wonderful open Suffolk sky, Flatford Mill, one of the 18th century water-mills owned by..... Information \| Pictures (38) \| Hotels
	High Woods Country Park .. Information \| Hotels
	Gainsborough's House An unusual and elegant joining of two old fashioned properties from the 1500's made this an attractive home for the Gainsborough..... Information \| Hotels

All attractions in Polstead
All attractions in Suffolk
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Hotels & Accommodation in Polstead

	Best Western Stoke By Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa Keepers Lane, Leavenheath, Colchester, Essex, England (1.7 miles, 2.7 km, direction SW) The Stoke By Nayland Hotel is considered to be one of the finest venues of its kind in East Anglia, close to Colchester and the A12. The Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa is situated in 300 acres ... More info and book online.. Price from £70.00
	Queens House Guest House Church Square, Bures-St-Mary, Bures, Suffolk, England (5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction SW) Queens House, formerly a 17th Century Coaching Inn, is situated opposite St. Mary's Church in the heart of Bures. You can laze in our pretty walled garden or take one of the many Stour Valley walks. ... More info and book online.. Price from £45.00
	Ramada Colchester Old Ipswich Road, A12/A120 Ardleigh Junction, Colchester, Essex, England (6.2 miles, 9.9 km, direction S) The Ramada Colchester is a fine base for exploring Constable Country and the East Anglian coastline. The hotel is convenient for all major routes from London and Harwich and is close to the principal ... More info and book online.. Price from £55.00
	Hintlesham Hall Hotel Hintlesham, George Street, Hintlesham, Ipswich, Suffolk, England (6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction NE) A 21st century haven of comfort and friendly professionalism within a grade I listed Elizabethan manor house, Hintlesham Hall is to be found nestling in 175 acres of rolling Suffolk countryside. Th... More info and book online.. Price from £95.00
	The Black Boy 7 Market Hill, Sudbury, Suffolk, England (7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction W) The Black Boy is situated in the heart of this historic town and is open all day every day for food and drink. We offer free car parking at the rear of the building for up to 15 cars. The Black Boy ... More info and book online.. Price from £30.00

More Polstead hotels...

Nearby travel help

Bures Station	(6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction SW)
Manningtree Station	(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction SE)
London Stansted Airport	(29.5 miles, 47.4 km, direction W)
M11 Junction 9	(30.9 miles, 49.7 km, direction W)
M11 Junction 8	(31.4 miles, 50.6 km, direction W)
Cambridge Airport	(33.8 miles, 54.4 km, direction W)
Polstead to London	(56.0 miles, 90.2 km, direction SW)