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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Early Morning.

Ellesmere

in the county of Shropshire

Salthouse Church 2002

Salthouse

a Seaside Town in the county of Norfolk

Pictures of Dedham

a Picturesque Village in the county of Essex

About 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.

A saunter through the main streets of the village reveals an attractive array of Georgian fronted buildings and old inns. Of particular note is the Marlborough Head Inn, an impressive medieval half timber frame building of the 15th-century that was the home of a clothier until it became an inn in the 17th-century. The old grammar school, dates 1732 was attended by Constable, he would have walked here from his home in nearby East Bergholt. Worthy of note too, is Shermans Hall which has connections with General Sherman of the American Civil War. The Sherman family were medieval wool merchants. Apart from these historic 'showpiece' properties, the road into the village is interspersed with lovely old houses and cottages, that are each fronted by attractive lawned and flower bedecked gardens. It is a very English picture were roses ramble at will around old front doors.

The church of St.Mary the Virgin, remains in testimoney to the huge generosity of the wool merchants of medieval times. The nave roof is richly decorated with the Insignia of the Guilds of Weavers and Millers and the ceiling of the passage through the tower shows glorious carvings embellished with designs of the Tudor Rose and Portcullis, together with the trademark of Thomas Webbe one of the leading wealthy wool merchants whose money helped to fund the church. Interestingly, a pew in the church commemorates the first moon landing. The church is overwhelming in it's magnificence, it has many ancient reminders of the village's historic past and is a constant source of fascination.

It is not surprising to learn that John Constable's father had a watermill here. This is now replaced by one of red brick but the original watermill was featured in one of Constable's paintings that hangs in the Victoria and Albert museum. This is a beautiful village that will give you many pleasant memories.

Places to visit - Flatford Mill and Lock, Misterly Towers and Beth Chatto Gardens. The nearby town of Colchester has a museum and there are enjoyable trips on the beautiful River Stour which leads to the open sea at Harwich.

Recommended towns & villages near Dedham

Flatford Mill

Flatford (54 Pictures) in the county of Suffolk

(0.9 miles, 1.5 km of Dedham)

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...

John Constable's former studio at East Bergholt, Suffolk

East Bergholt (19 Pictures) in the county of Suffolk

(1.7 miles, 2.7 km, direction NE of Dedham)

This enchanting village gained lasting fame as Constable's birth place. It also has a very unusual medieval bell cage...

Manningtree, Essex

Manningtree (19 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Essex

(3.3 miles, 5.2 km, direction E of Dedham)

The town shows fine examples of weavers cottages and walks through the town reveal fine Georgian facades behind which are Tudor and Elizabethan houses...

A Wide angle view of the River Stour at Mistley, Essex, where there are usually hundreds of Swans.

Mistley (19 Pictures) in the county of Essex

(4.0 miles, 6.4 km, direction E of Dedham)

Mistley lies on the south bank of the River Stour not far from Manningtree, to which it is joined via a tree-lined walk along the river which is oddly called The Walls...

Nayland, Suffolk

Nayland (1 Pictures) in the county of Suffolk

(5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction W of Dedham)

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...

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Nearby attractions..

Dedham Art and Craft Centre

Dedham Art and Craft Centre (1 Pictures)

(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)

The Dedham Art & Craft Centre is situated in the heart of Constable Country, on the North Essex/Suffolk border. In this.....

Willie Lott's Cottage, Flatford Mill, Suffolk

Flatford Mill (52 Pictures)

(1.4 miles, 2.2 km, direction E)

Standing on the River Stour beneath the wonderful open Suffolk sky, Flatford Mill, one of the 18th century water-mills owned by.....

Beth Chatto Gardens, May 2001

Beth Chatto Gardens (22 Pictures)

(5.8 miles, 9.4 km, direction S)

..

Colchester

Colchester Castle (21 Pictures)

(5.9 miles, 9.6 km, direction SW)

Colchester is an ancient town situated on the site where a Roman city once stood. It is most famous for its massive Norman.....

St. Botolphs Priory in Colchester

St. Botolph's Priory (3 Pictures)

(6.7 miles, 10.8 km, direction SW)

..

Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich, Suffolk

Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich (2 Pictures)

(10.2 miles, 16.4 km, direction NE)

This stunning red brick Elizabethan house was built in 1548 for a wealthy merchant with cultural leanings, therefore it is.....

A picture of East Anglian Railway Museum

East Anglian Railway Museum (3 Pictures)

(10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction W)

Where better to take the children for a great day out! Here at the East Anglian Railway Museum, children, mum and dad, even.....


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