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
Discover the views that John Constable painted in the hamlet of Flatford, set within the Dedham Vale countryside
Flatford, East Bergholt, Suffolk, CO7 6UL
Opening times for 15 May 2025
Asset Opening time Cottage 10:00 - 16:00 Car Park Dawn - Dusk Kiosk 09:00 - 17:00 Shop 10:30 - 16:00 Tea-room 10:00 - 16:00 Constable Exhibition 10:00 - 16:00 Rowing Boat Hire Closed MTWTFSS282930123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930311OpenPartially openClosedCars
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Per Vehicle £6.00 Motorcycles
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Per Vehicle £2.00 Mini Buses & Large Camper Vans (6m & over)
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Per Vehicle £9.00 Cars towing Caravans (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 £14.00 Rowing Boat Hire
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Per Hour £23.00 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. Pay by phone 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 events are coming up at Flatford, including Nature Days and seasonal trails.
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
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
There is plenty for all to enjoy on a visit to Flatford. Take a self-guided trail or join a tour and discover the locations of major paintings by John Constable.
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 on the side of a 17th-century Suffolk farmhouse.
Thorington Hall
A striking eight-bedroom farmhouse with fine historic detailing throughout.
Spotlight events
Flatford Summer Craft Fayre
The Bourne Valley Crafters return to Flatford with their summer craft fair. As with their Christmas Craft Fairs, they have invited a talented group of local crafters and designers. Sat 31 May and Sun 1st June, 10:00-16:00; no booking needed, free event but normal admission applies
Flatford Nature Day
Join the fun and go wild at the Flatford Nature Day. There will be craft activities to try, trails to follow and nature clues to hunt. Tues 27 May, 11:00-15:00, no booking needed, free event (normal admission applies).
Upcoming events
Event
River Stories Art Exhibition
21 East Anglian artists were invited to explore their relationship with the rivers that flow through their lives. You will enjoy artworks which include sculpture, photography, fused glass, mosaic and painting.
Event
Valley Farm Open Day
The ancient hall of Valley Farm will be open to view, allowing visitors to look up at the blackened rafters and see the huge inglenook fireplace and medieval staircase.
Event
Flatford Nature Day
Join the fun and go wild at the Flatford Nature Day. There will be craft activities to try, trails to follow and nature clues to hunt.
Event
Flatford Summer Craft Fayre
The Bourne Valley Crafters return to Flatford with their summer craft fair. As with their Christmas Craft Fairs, they have invited a talented group of local crafters and designers. You will be able to browse from a beautiful range of crafts,...
Event
Seasonal Ranger Walks
Discover the seasons highlights through the eyes of our Ranger team as they take you on a journey across Flatford.
Event
Shades of Simon - a tribute to Paul Simon
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 3rd year running in July 2025. The show has an engaging narration...
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 home to a number of unique buildings which all have individual histories. Read on to discover more about the history of this special place.
Article
John Constable at Flatford
Discover the life of John Constable and his family. Stories of a happy childhood, heartbreak and success in the art world help to paint a picture of what his life was like.
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.
Support us
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.