Flatford and Constable country walk
Explore the picturesque Stour Valley and Dedham Vale on this relaxing walk, visiting the area made famous by the 18th-century paintings of John Constable, England’s foremost landscape artist of the time. See Flatford Mill, Willy Lott's House, the site of The Hay Wain painting, and visit the village of Dedham, where Constable went to school.
Flood warning
Parts of this route are currently inaccessible due to flooding.
Total steps: 8
Total steps: 8
Start point
Manningtree Station CO11 2LE. Grid ref: TM093322
Step 1
Leave Manningtree station exit and descend ramp to the right. The footpath starts from the end of the ramp in the car par. After leaving the car park, turn right along a track, then right again under a railway bridge. Follow path until you reach the river and turn left along a stream-side path taking you through the Cattawade Marshes.
Step 2
Walk behind Fifty-six Gates, and follow the path on the bank to the hamlet of Flatford.
Step 3
You can take a short detour to see Flatford Mill, Willy Lott's House and the site of The Hay Wain painting. You can then return to Manningtree by the same route or continue on to Dedham.
Step 4
Leave Flatford by walking from Bridge Cottage towards the RSPB wildlife garden. Go up the steps on your left and follow the path to the car park. Turn left at the top of the car park and after 110yd (100m) take the footpath running parallel to the road.
Step 5
Turn left into Fen Lane.
Step 6
Shortly after crossing a bridge, turn right along a tree-lined footpath. Cross riverside meadows, until you reach a bridge at Dedham.
Step 7
Leave the village on a footpath after the drive leading to Dedham Hall. Follow the path to Flatford, bearing left at a National Trust sign to Dedham Hall Farm.
Step 8
The river leads back to Bridge Cottage across water meadows. A kissing gate marks the site of an old stile featured in another Constable painting, 'The Leaping Horse'. Now retrace your path back to Manningtree Station.
End point
Manningtree Station CO11 2LE. Grid ref: TM093322
Trail map
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