Pictures of Flatford

About 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.

Flatford Mill now belongs to the National Trust, it stands in a beautiful location beside the River Stour and with its bridge and Willie Lott's Cottage, it presents a timeless scene of pastoral enchantment which has captivated artists since John Constable first painted it in the early part of the 19th century.

The mill was Constable's childhood home and the place he probably loved best. The entire area seems to have remarkably escaped the hand of time, with little happened to disturb the serenity and overall tranquillity of the landscape.

Nearby, lies Flatford Bridge Cottage, a thatched cottage of the 17th century. This is another attractive cottage painted by the great artist, it now houses a rich exhibition of his life and times as well as providing pleasant tea-room facilities. Visitors can take tea in the river-side garden, there is a shop for souvenirs, and boats for hire.

The National Trust owns Flatford Mill and much of the land around here, and we have the trust to thank for its wonderful atmosphere of peaceful perfection. From Flatford Bridge Cottage there is access by foot to scenically beautiful Dedham Vale, considered by many to be the very heart of Constable Country.

Flatford Mill, Valley Farm and Willie Lott's Cottage are all used for arts courses, with visit's only allowed by prior arrangement.

The National Trust operates I hour guided walks, these depart from Bridge Cottage and take in the full romantic "Constable" experience visiting the sites of his most famous works of art.

This is truly a pretty, rarefied place that no visitor to Suffolk should miss.

Take a picture tour of Flatford or book Flatford accommodation

Other nearby recommended towns & villages..

Dedham (34 Pictures)

in the county of Essex

(0.9 miles, 1.5 km of Flatford)

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...

East Bergholt (11 Pictures)

in the county of Suffolk

(1.4 miles, 2.3 km, direction N of Flatford)

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

Manningtree (19 Pictures)

a Historic Market Town in the county of Essex

(2.3 miles, 3.7 km, direction E of Flatford)

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

Mistley (18 Pictures)

in the county of Essex

(3.0 miles, 4.9 km, direction E of Flatford)

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...

Greenstead (1 Pictures)

in the county of Essex

(5.9 miles, 9.6 km, direction SW of Flatford)

Greenstead Church is said to be the oldest wooden building in the world. Well worth a visit....

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Nearby attractions..

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East Anglian Railway Museum (3 Pictures)

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