The Cottages
Very many of our cottages are around Dedham Vale and some inside it, we promote lovely walks in the AONB Area itself.
We believe in restoration, not renovation, and these cottages offer you just that. Old beamed interiors, Inglenook fireplaces, persian rugs, belfast sinks and Suffolk brick floors are some of the many features that we have in our Dedham Vale cottages.
About the Dedham Vale
The Dedham Vale is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and this part of the gorgeous countryside provides some of England’s most untouched, natural beauty. At only 90 sq kilometres, the Dedham Vale is one of the smallest AONBs. The beauty of the Dedham Vale was what inspired John Constable — England’s greatest landscape artist of all time — to produce the beautiful artwork that he did. Constable’s ‘Dedham Vale’ is one of many beautiful landscape paintings of his, which he created in 1802.
Throughout the duration of the year, the scenes of the Dedham Vale landscape change constantly. During the winter seasons the valley floor can be seen, often with a fresh blanket of snow lightly covering it. In the spring and summer seasons the valley is encapsulated with greenery and wildlife. As Autumn arrives, an array of golden colours and various shades of orange start to appear – now this is just the perfect season for a country stroll across the Dedham Vale.
Constable Country
Dedham Vale is often known as ‘Constable Country’, as the paintings that John Constable did of the area were made famous. The charm of these picturesque villages, the stunning beauty of the surrounding countryside and the abundance of wildlife means there is always something to do.
John Constable had his own description of the Dedham Vale, he said this, “The sound of the water escaping from Mill dams… Willows, old rotten Banks, slimy posts and brickwork. I love such things… As long as I do paint I shall never cease to paint such places…”. The astounding thing about this famous quote from Constable is very much like his paintings, hardly anything has changed in over 200 years.
The peaceful and tranquil atmosphere that the Dedham Vale provides is something which has been ongoing for hundreds of years. John Constable once said “I associate my ‘careless boyhood’ with all that lies on the banks of the Stour. Those scenes made me a painter and I am grateful – that is, I had often thought of pictures of them before ever I touched a pencil…” The unspoilt beauty of the Dedham Vale that is just effortlessly delivered, is something that inspired not only Constable, but many artists of today.
Links
The Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project website which has lots of information on the area, projects, local wildlife, image galleries and the location.
The National Trust’s step-by-step route details for the Flatford and Constable Country walk, where you can explore the picturesque Stour Valley and Dedham Vale.
