Constable Country

Sunday

En-route to our hotel we visit Audley End House (EH), one of England’s grandest stately homes. Equipped with original and reproduction Victorian fixtures and fittings the house creates an atmospheric portrait of daily Victorian life.

Monday

We head to Suffolk’s Heritage Coast and the pretty coastal town of Aldeburgh, with its unspoilt beach dotted with fishermen’s huts and charming historic high street. This afternoon, enjoy a unique visit to the Suffolk Punch Trust, which was founded to help protect the critically endangered Suffolk Punch horse, the oldest English breed of working horse. You will have a welcome talk, a guided tour, a tractor trailer ride and time to explore the museum.

Tuesday

We meet our Blue Badge guide and explore Constable Country. Located on the Suffolk and Essex border - East Bergholt is the site of John Constable’s Studio and St. Mary’s Church, built in the 15th and 16th centuries and renowned for the absence of a tower or spire to house the bells - at Dedham our tour takes in sights such as Constable’s School and Dedham Parish Church, dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin in 1492 - Bridge Cottage at Flatford is located upstream from Flatford Mill and houses an exhibition on John Constable, several of whose paintings famously feature the mill. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon for a Cream Tea.

Wednesday

We visit Lavenham, one of England’s finest medieval villages with a 15th century church and the Guildhall, an early 16th century timber framed building that dominates the Market Place. Later we visit Melford Hall (NT), one of East Anglia’s most celebrated Elizabethan houses where little has changed externally since 1578.

Thursday

Homeward bound, before pausing at Anglesey Abbey (NT) - The garden at Anglesey Abbey was developed by the 1st Lord Fairhaven from 1926 and has become one of the British Isles most beautiful 20th century gardens. There are majestic tree lined avenues and walks which form the framework for hidden, more formal gardens such as the dahlia garden and a semi-circular herbaceous border. Along with the house & gardens there is a restaurant, plant centre & shop.