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Constable 250: things to see and do at Flatford in 2026

Cream-painted Willy Lott's House stands next to the river Stour at Flatford, Suffolk, reflecting in the water along with mature trees
Willy Lott's House and the river Stour at Flatford, Suffolk | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

2026 is the 250th anniversary of John Constable's birth, so you are stepping into his famous landscapes when you visit Flatford. You can visit our Constable Exhibition to see copies of the paintings or join one of the Constable tours to see the famous views. You can discover more about the wild side of Flatford by visiting the RSPB Wildlife Garden or enjoy the lovely country walks as the seasons change.

Constable 250 Events

Here is a snap shot of our public events celebrating the 250th birthday year of John Constable: 

  • Carry on Constable Art Exhibition with the Colchester Arts Society - 8 to 17 May
  • Suffolk Archives on Tour:  Constable 250 Exhibition - 30 & 31 May
  • Draw-In painting weekend with the Ipswich and Colchester Art Societies- 10 to 13 July
  • The Rivers and Skies Art Residency:  Drop in Discovery Days - 20 June and 19 July
  • Suffolk Archives on Tour:  Constable 250 Exhibition - 1 & 2 August
  • The Rivers and Skies Art Residency:  Lunchtime Chats - 18, 19, 20 August
  • The Rivers and Skies Art Residency:  Constable 250 Installation - 24 - 30 August
  • Packing Shed Theatre:  Hay Wain Open Air Theatre - 28 August

Please visit our events page on the National Trust Flatford website for lots more information:  Events at Flatford

The Rivers and Skies Art Residency

To celebrate John Constable's 250th Birthday Year, the National Trust joined forces with the Essex Cultural Diversity Project to commission an art residency - funded by Arts Council England and National Trust. The project chosen was The Rivers and Skies by artists Tom Hobden and Phoebe Stapleton.   The artists will invite diverse audiences from across the generations to tell or imagine their life stories through the metaphors of rivers and sky, drawing a parallel with John Constable’s way of seeing landscape as an emotional record.

Participants will explore their stories through drawing, film, movement, writing, and sound.  Each participant will choose how to translate their story into a creative form, giving voice to their perspective and lived experience.

The artists will transform these stories into an immersive, multi-sensory installation at Flatford; a patchwork of projections, soundscape, and immersive visual design which will become a bridge between two worlds, and a connecting message of the significance of who we are, where we live and how we create. The project will invite us to see ourselves and our communities as part of an ongoing artistic terrain where personal histories are held, remembered, and elevated.  For more details on this and other events, please follow this link: Events at Flatford

Flatford Guided Tours

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.

Tour available daily at 11.30am (except Sundays) from 28 April until the 27 September, subject to volunteer availability. 

Walking in Constable Country

Enjoy the Dedham Vale National Landscape by enjoying a walk through the countryside from Flatford. Discover the picturesque stroll alongside the River Stour to the village of Dedham or follow one of the National Trust walking trails, which you can find on the maps around the site. The Orange Trail is suitable for off road personal mobility vehicles, including our own Tramper. 

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. 

Visit the exhibition in The Granary to discover more about the Constable's life and work and see large copies of his paintings, including the Hay Wain.

Visit the views that inspired Constable

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.  You can find more information on these views in our onsite exhibition or the guidebook available in the gift shop. 

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): Crunched.Traded.Limp 

Boys Fishing: Iceberg.Sniff.Else 

The Lock: Comb.Evolution.Bombard 

The White Horse: Seducing.Exhales.Exit

Visitors looking over a low wall down towards the river at Flatford Mill, at Flatford, Suffolk

Discover more at Flatford

Find out when Flatford is open, how to get here, things to see and do and more.

Plan your visit

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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.

View of Bridge Cottage beside the River Stour at Flatford, Suffolk

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.

Visitors looking over a low wall down towards the river at Flatford Mill, at Flatford, Suffolk

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.

Willy Lott's Cottage beside the River Stour at Flatford, Suffolk

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.

Close up of a hot drink in Flatford Tea Room, Suffolk

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.

Visitors listen to a staff member on a guided nature walk on Brownsea Island, Dorset

Countryside and woodland 

Plan a visit to one of the special countryside places in our care and discover the benefits of being in the great outdoors. Pack your walking boots and get ready to explore woodlands, valleys and rivers.

Summer sun shining through the woodland at Blakes Wood in Essex

Countryside in Suffolk 

Explore the varied landscape of Suffolk, including heathland, an Anglo-Saxon burial ground and scenery made famous by the landscape artist John Constable.

View of Dunwich Heath and Beach with a moody sky in the background

Walking 

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.

Hikers climbing Great Gable, in the Lake District, on a cloudy spring day with mountain views all around

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