Become a member
Join today and help protect nature, beauty and history – for everyone, for ever. Enjoy access to more than 500 places with National Trust membership.
Flatford
SuffolkDiscover the views that John Constable painted in the hamlet of Flatford, set within the Dedham Vale countryside
Flatford, East Bergholt, Suffolk, CO7 6UL
Important notice
Please note that our Tramper Mobility vehicle is temporarily out of action whilst we await a spare part. We are sorry for any disappointment caused.
M T W T F S S Open
Closed
Opening times for 3 April 2026
Asset Opening time Bridge Cottage 10:00 - 16:00 Car Park Dawn - Dusk Shop 10:30 - 16:00 Tea-room 09:00 - 16:00 Constable Exhibition 10:00 - 16:00 Motorcycles
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Per vehicle £2.00 Cars & Small Vans (under 6m in length)
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Per vehicle £6.00 Mini Buses & Large Vans (6m & over in length)
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Per vehicle £9.00 Vehicles towing Trailers (6m & over)
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Per vehicle £9.00 Booked Coaches
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Per vehicle £12.00 Unbooked Coaches
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Per vehicle £15.00 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Bookshop
- Car park
- Dogs allowed
Dogs are welcome at Flatford, and all of our walking trails are suitable for dogs. Please keep your dog on a lead at all times as there are grazing livestock and ground nesting birds in the area
- Shop
- Tea-room
- Toilet
Blue Badge parking and drop-off point. Accessible toilet. Level access to tea-room. Accessible countryside path.
- Accessible toilet
- Changing Places
Large Changing Places facility located adjacent blue badge car park, with hoist and changing bench. This facility is open when the tea room is open.
- Designated parking
5 accessible spaces available.
- Drop-off point
- Induction loop
- Level access/terrain
- Powered mobility vehicle available
One powered mobility vehicle available to borrow from visitor reception
- Wheelchairs available
One manual wheelchair available to borrow from visitor reception
- By road
- South of East Bergholt well signposted from the B1070.Parking: 200 yards from Bridge Cottage in the National Trust car park. Capacity is limited at the moment and the car park may fill quickly on busy days. Prices: National Trust members free; £6 per car; £2 per motorbike; £15 per coach (£12 if pre-booked). Motorhomes and minbuses £9 - sorry no overnight parking. Please note that the car park machine does not accept contactless transactions. Just Park app available. Limited space for cars with caravans or trailers.Sat Nav: Postcode CO7 6UL
- On foot
- Flatford is accessible from East Bergholt, Dedham and Manningtree Station. The St Edmund Way and Stour Valley Path both pass through Flatford, linking the hamlet to many other local communities. Manningtree Railway Station is 1.75 miles, Dedham is 1.5 miles and East Bergholt is 1 mile. OS Explorer Map 196, "Sudbury, Hadleigh and the Dedham Vale" is the best route finding map.
- By train
- The nearest railway station is Manningtree which is 1¾ miles from Flatford by footpath or 3½ miles by road. Cycle hire available from Manningtree Railway Station.
- By bus
- Frequent services from Colchester and Ipswich bus stations to East Bergholt via Manningtree Railway Station.
Planning your visit
Events at Flatford
See what's coming up at Flatford, including Constable 250 celebrations, school holiday activities, seasonal trails and a Shades of Simon concert by the river.
Easter Egg Hunt at Flatford
Make your way along the trail and find nature-inspired activities for the whole family. The trail takes place between 28 March and 12 April 2026, from 10.00am to 3.00pm daily, with last entry at 3.00pm. Prices are £3.50 per trail which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and dairy or vegan and Free From* chocolate egg.
Article
Group visits to Flatford
Find out how to book at group visit to Flatford to discover the scenes that made John Constable famous on a guided tour, followed by a relaxing bite in the riverside tea-room.
Article
Accessibility at Flatford
There is Blue Badge parking and drop-off point and an accessible toilet. There is level access to tea-room and an accessible countryside path.
Article
Visiting Flatford with your dog
Dogs are welcome at Flatford. Please read this guidance to find out where you can take your dog and what safety advice you'll need to follow.
PDF
Highlights
Countryside
Traditional Suffolk countryside as painted by John Constable, with riverside meadows, woodland, fields and miles of paths.
River Stour
East Anglian river meandering through Flatford Hamlet, with riverside seating, launching for water craft and walking paths.
Flatford Tea-room
Riverside tea-room serving drinks, cakes, ice cream, lunches and cream teas, with indoor and waterside seating areas.
Gift shop
Shop filled with gifts, homewares, books, local produce and gardening accessories and gifts inspired by Flatford.
Flatford hamlet
Historic buildings that can be viewed from the outside, including Valley Farm, Willy Lott’s House, Flatford Mill and The Granary.
Bridge Cottage
17th-century thatched cottage, telling the story of those who lived and worked at Flatford.
Second-hand bookshop
Bookshop stocked full of pre-loved books.
Constable Exhibition
Exhibition exploring the life and work of John Constable, explaining how he found inspiration in the Suffolk countryside.
Things to see and do
Article
Things to see and do at Flatford in 2026: the 250th anniversary of John Constable's birth
There is plenty to see and do at Flatford in this year of celebration. 2026 is the 250th birthday of John Constable, so join a tour or visit the exhibition to find out more. There are lovely walks to enjoy too and beautiful views to inspire you.
Article
Family-friendly things to do at Flatford
Discover what family-friendly activities are on offer at Flatford in Suffolk, from walking by the River Stour, nature trails and geocaching.
Eating and shopping
Article
Eating and shopping at Flatford
Treat yourself to a cuppa and a tasty treat in the Flatford tea-room and find the ideal gift for you or a loved one in the shop.
Places to stay
Thorington Lodge
A cosy gate lodge tucked beside Thorington Hall, with rustic stone floors and exposed beams.
Thorington Hall
A striking eight-bedroom farmhouse with fine historic detailing throughout.
Upcoming events
Event
Easter Egg Hunt at Flatford
This spring, treat your whole family to a Easter adventure at Flatford on our art and nature inspired Easter trail.
Event
Constable 250: Flatford Guided Tour
This year is the 250th anniversary of John Constable's birth, so Join us for a fascinating guided tour to learn more about his life and work. As you walk, see the iconic views that inspired Constable's masterpieces such as the Hay Wain and...
Event
Constable 250: Carry on Constable Art Exhibition
Colchester Art Society celebrates it’s 80th birthday alongside Constable’s 250th anniversary. The Society members respond to Constable’s work in the place he loved to paint most of all.
Event
Constable 250: Carry on Constable Art Exhibition - Meet the Artists
Meet the artists from the Colchester Art Society who are exhibiting at the Carry on Constable exhibition.
Event
Constable 250: Suffolk Archives on Tour
Discover more about Suffolk's famous artist John Constable, who celebrates his 250th birthday on the 11 June this year. Suffolk Archives bring their Archives on Tour trailer, which this year features a mini exhibition about John Constable.
Event
Constable 250: Summer Draw In
Create landscape-inspired drawings in John Constable’s 250th Anniversary year, surrounded by the environment that made him a painter. Members of the Ipswich and Colchester Art Societies will be available for help and encouragement if needed. All...
Event
Shades of Simon - a tribute to Paul Simon
Back by popular demand! The UK’s no.1 Paul Simon tribute band “Shades of Simon” will be bringing their highly acclaimed 2 hour show “The Paul Simon Story” to the National Trust's Flatford Mill for the 4th year running in July 2026. The show has...
Event
Constable 250: Suffolk Archives on Tour
Discover more about Suffolk's famous artist John Constable, who celebrates his 250th birthday on the 11 June this year. Suffolk Archives bring their Archives on Tour trailer, which this year features a mini exhibition about John Constable.
About Flatford
Flatford lies in the heart of the beautiful Dedham Vale. This charming hamlet was the inspiration for some of John Constable's most famous pictures, for example, the Hay Wain or Boatbuilding near Flatford Mill among many others. Wandering beside the River Stour or looking at Flatford Mill and Willy Lott's House you can feel as if you are actually walking through one of his paintings. Our informative exhibition will give you an insight into Constable's life at Flatford. While you are here, enjoy exploring the countryside on one of our circular walks or hire a boat and row along the river.
History
Article
History of Flatford
Flatford is the location of a number of unique buildings all of which have fascinating histories. Most of these buildings date from well before John Constable was born 250 years ago and many feature in his famous landscape paintings. Read on to discover more about the history of this special hamlet and how it inspired art.
Article
John Constable at Flatford
2026 is the 250th anniversary of John Constable's birth, so discover more about the artist and his family in this important year. His story features a happy childhood, influential friendships, romantic heartbreak and eventual success as an artist with a legacy that still inspires people today.
Our work
Article
Our work at Flatford and the Dedham Vale
Learn about the work we do all year round at Flatford and the Dedham Vale, from ensuring traditional farming methods continue, to growing fresh produce in the kitchen garden and working with artists.
Support us
Flatford needs you!
The National Trust has launched a brand-new electric, wheelchair-accessible shuttle at Flatford, making it easier for everyone to enjoy one of the most iconic landscapes in Constable Country. We’re looking for friendly, reliable volunteers to help operate the shuttle so it can run more regularly and help make the new service available to even more people. Could you lend a hand – or know someone who might?
Article
Volunteer opportunities at Flatford
Do you have some spare time and want to help us look after this special place that Constable loved to paint? Find out how you can apply to join the volunteering team at Flatford.
