Constable Country - Highlights of Suffolk

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

An excursion to Suffolk’s Heritage Coast and the pretty coastal town of Aldeburgh, with its unspoilt beach dotted with
fishermen’s huts. After some leisure time here, we will enjoy a relaxing cruise along the beautiful and scenic River Deben.

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. (Unfortunately, due to restricted access for large coaches reaching
Flatford Mill and Bridge Cottage we will now no longer include these two locations within this excursion). We return to our
hotel in the late afternoon for a Cream Tea.

Wednesday

A morning visit to Beth Chatto Gardens, created by this award-winning plantswoman, where we discover an
informal collection of historically significant gardens, with National Heritage Grade II listing. We continue in the afternoon to
Clacton-on-Sea, the largest town on the Essex Sunshine Coast. With its many attractions including a pleasure pier, arcades,
seafront walks and main shopping area you will be spoilt for choice.

Thursday

Homeward bound, before pausing at 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.