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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Athelhampton House, Dorset

Athelhampton in the county of Dorset

Pictures of Polstead

in the county of Suffolk

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.

Recommended towns & villages near Polstead

Nayland, Suffolk

Nayland (1 Pictures) in the county of Suffolk

(2.8 miles, 4.5 km, direction S of Polstead)

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...

Kersey, very old Church of Holy Virgin

Kersey (18 Pictures) in the county of Suffolk

(3.7 miles, 6.0 km, direction N of Polstead)

Quintessentially English village of a style for which Suffolk is renowned. Winding streets full of exquisite properties, some dating back to Tudor times...

High Street, Dedham

Dedham (34 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of Essex

(5.1 miles, 8.1 km, direction SE of Polstead)

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...

John Constable's former studio at East Bergholt, Suffolk

East Bergholt (19 Pictures) in the county of Suffolk

(5.4 miles, 8.6 km, direction E of Polstead)

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

Flatford Lock

Flatford (54 Pictures) in the county of Suffolk

(5.9 miles, 9.5 km, direction SE of Polstead)

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...

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Nearby attractions..

Dedham Art and Craft Centre

Dedham Art and Craft Centre (1 Pictures)

(5.1 miles, 8.2 km, direction SE)

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)

(6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction SE)

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

Dedham Vale, Suffolk

Dedham Vale (21 Pictures)

(7.8 miles, 12.5 km, direction W)

Dedham Vale is also known as "Constable Country", it is designated an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), and the place.....

Colchester

Colchester Castle (21 Pictures)

(8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction S)

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

Lavenham Guildhall. Lavenham, Suffolk

Lavenham Guildhall (11 Pictures)

(8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction NW)

Built by Corpus Christi, Lavenham's Guildhall is a magnificent 16th century timber-framed tudor building, now maintained by The.....

A picture of East Anglian Railway Museum

East Anglian Railway Museum (3 Pictures)

(8.5 miles, 13.7 km, direction SW)

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

St. Botolphs Priory in Colchester

St. Botolph's Priory (3 Pictures)

(8.8 miles, 14.1 km, direction S)

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