Away Day Walk: Flatford & Constable Country (10 miles / 16 km - Moderate, Booking Required)

This walk is for up to 25 people, including the leader.

Join us for an away day walk in the countryside around the Suffolk and Essex border, where we will visit Willy’s Lott cottage from the famous Constable painting The Hay Wain, followed by a walk to the villages of East Bergholt and Dedham. The terrain is mostly flat for this walk however footwear suitable for hiking is still required.

We will start by heading out of Manningtree station and alongside the River Stour, on part of the St Edmund Way long distance trail. We will then reach Dedham Vale National Landscape, where we will see Flatford Mill, before crossing the river into Suffolk and spotting the Bridge Cottage. 

Next we reach Willy’s Lott Cottage, a 16th Century Grade I listed building in Flatford owned by the National Trust. Here we can stop for a short break at the National Trust tea room for a tea, coffee or ice cream. Alternatively you can go to the visitor centre and learn about the history of Flatford and Constable Country.

Afterwards, we will continue to the village of East Bergholt and pass St Mary the Virgin church. We’ll cross farmland overlooking Dedham in the distance before joining the Stour Valley Path, then have our lunch stop by the river near Dedham Bridge.

We will then head back to Essex by crossing over to Dedham where we will walk past Dedham Mill, followed by a pub stop at The Marlborough.

Our final stretch of the walk takes us through the village of Dedham, past the Parish Church and Dedham Hall Farm. We will cross some meadows before rejoining the Stour Valley Path and St Edmunds Way to return to the start point.

Dogs are welcome on a lead.

For information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.

Booking your place: Please book your place using the free Meetup website/app. Join the Stag Walkers Meetup group and click the 'Attend' button on the event page.

Please do not turn up for a walk without booking, as places are limited.

If the walk is fully booked, please click 'join waitlist' then please check back regularly as you will likely get a place. The waitlist gives priority to single bookings so if you wish to bring a guest, we recommend booking separately.

Unless you opt in to further communications, we will only use contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk.