Discover more at Flatford
Find out when Flatford is open, how to get here, things to see and do and more.
Things to see and do at Flatford
There is plenty for all to enjoy on a visit to Flatford. Take a self-guided trail through the Dedham Vale countryside or join one of the Constable tours to discover the Hay Wain view as well as the locations of other major paintings by John Constable.
Events at Flatford
Flatford Guided Tours
every weekday (excluding bank holidays)
Join us for a fascinating guided tour and explore the picturesque hamlet of Flatford as you learn about the life and works of John Constable, one of the most celebrated artists in British history. As you walk, see the iconic views that inspired Constable's masterpieces such as the Hay Wain and Flatford Mill.
Beneath the Clouds Art Exhibition
11 - 19 May
'Beneath the Clouds' is a group exhibition at The Granary at Flatford. The exhibition showcases artists who use location and nature as an impetus to create work that encapsulates personal memories and artistic vision.
Summer Craft Fayre
1 - 2 June
The Bourne Valley Crafters stage their first ever early summer craft fair at Flatford. As with their Christmas Craft Fairs, they have invited a talented group of local crafters and designers to bring their wares. You will be able to browse from a beautiful range of crafts, including ceramics, jewellery, art, fabric work and wood work. All items will be sale, so you are sure to find that perfect present or item for your home. The Flatford Tea Room will be open serving food and drink.
Shades of Simon
20 July
Shades of Simon are the UK's number one Paul Simon Tribute band. We welcome them back to Flatford for a second time after their sell out performance in 2023. As last year, they will trace the Paul Simon story from Simon & Garfunkel to Graceland. As well as listening to the lovely music, you will also be able to enjoy snacks and drinks from the National Trust catering team in the interval.
Brentwood Mac - a tribute to Fleetwood Mac
24 August
Brentwood Mac is a six-piece amalgamation of some of the finest local musicians who all love the Fleetwood Mac catalogue. Their performances include songs from the early Peter Green days (Albatross), to solo tracks by Lindsey Buckingham (Go Insane) & Stevie Nicks (Rooms on Fire). With a repertoire spanning all eras of the band, Brentwood Mac guarantee a night of captivating music that will leave you wanting more!
The Hay Wain presented by Packing Shed Theatre
This highly acclaimed, atmospheric play with music has been described as East Anglia’s very own Les Miserables, bringing to life the people that populate the picture, lives defined not by simplicity and virtue, but by hardship, hope and resilience.
Turning the traditional, bucolic, chocolate box ideal of The Hay Wain on its head, you’ll never look at the landscape in quite the same way again.
Walk the Suffolk countryside
Enjoy the Dedham Vale National Landscape and take in the landscape on a walk through the countryside. Discover the picturesque stroll alongside the River Stour to the village of Dedham or follow one of the trail routes, which you can find on the maps around the site.
Bringing Constable's landscapes to life
Experience the views that inspired Constable's paintings and discover the history behind them on a guided tour. Tours run Monday to Friday at 11.30am. The tour covers around 300 metres, lasts an hour and costs £3.50. Please note, these tours are volunteer dependent, so call ahead or speak to a member of staff to check availability.
Volunteers will also be at the Hay Wain view on weekday afternoons as well as Saturdays and Sundays to talk you through the history of Constable's most famous landscape.
John Constable Exhibition
Constable spent his entire childhood in the Dedham Vale and these memories sustained him for life. The hamlet of Flatford and the landscape of the Stour Valley dominated his paintings from the early 1800s.
A year before John’s birth the Constable family moved from a house next door to Flatford Mill to a mansion in East Bergholt. John Constable spent most of his school life at Dedham Grammar School, walking across the fields each day from his home in East Bergholt.
After he left school Constable went to work at his father’s windmill in East Bergholt and in his spare time he used to sketch the landscapes.
Visit the exhibition in the granary to find out the full story and discover John Constable's paintings of the views in and around Flatford.
RSPB Wildlife Garden
The RSPB has created a family-friendly wildlife garden at Flatford, designed to pass on ideas that visitors can incorporate into their own gardens. Discover the carved garden creatures, run through the willow tunnel and see if you can spot some of Flatford’s resident wildlife.
Valley Farm Kitchen Garden
The Kitchen Garden at Valley Farm was restored in 2010 to its former glory by a team of volunteers, who continue to develop and maintain the gardens today. They manage the gardens in a traditional way, respecting the heritage of the land. The produce grown is used in the tea-room to create a range of delicious specials. Look out for sign by Valley Farm to see if the kitchen garden volunteers are about. If they are, you are welcome to come on in and have a chat about the garden and view the produce.
Discover Constable country
John Constable grew up at Flatford Mill on the River Stour. In many of his famous painting and sketches he captured the places close to his boyhood home and the scenes of everyday rural life there. Discover the views that inspired him, by visiting the locations of his best-known paintings, using What3Words, which is an app that allocates a unique three-word name to three-metre squares all over the world.
Find out more and download the What3Wordsapp here
The Hay Wain: Wages.Shutting.Hoped
Willy Lott's House: Junior.Eased.Hoofs
The Mill Stream: Light.Removers.Earplugs
Boat Building: Spelled.Teeth.Flagging
A view on the Stour near Dedham: Choirs.Riskiest.Anchovies
Scene on a Navigable River (Flatford Mill): Crunch.Traded.Limp
Boys Fishing: Iceberg.Sniff.Else
The Lock: Comb.Evolution.Bombard
The White Horse: Seducing.Exhales.Exit
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