Beginner 3 Day Tour
Tour Overview
This tour takes you right round Constable Country, covering all of the designated Dedham Vale AONB area around the River Stour, and visiting most of the viewpoints used by John Constable for his best known local paintings.
Tour Data
Price Per Person: £254 (luxury B&Bs) - £277 (character hotels)
Start & Finish: Langham
Overnight Stops: Dedham, Stoke by Nayland
Suitability: Beginner, Occasional Rider
Min - Max Total Tour Distance: 20 - 58 miles (32 - 93 km)
Day One
Start - Finish: Langham - Dedham
Min - Max Distance: 5 - 9 miles
Route Overview
A short warm up ride. North from Langham via small country lanes to the lip of Dedham Vale. Then a meander east along the Stour Valley into Dedham village.
Points of Interest en-route
Visit peaceful 12th C Langham Church nestled on a wooded ridge above Dedham Vale. The tower was a viewpoint used by John Constable for several of his paintings.
Evening One
Character Inn/Hotel: Milsoms Hotel
Luxury B&B: Dedham Hall
Things to Do
Stroll along the banks of the Stour, or hire a rowing boat from the Boathouse. Visit the Alfred Munnings Museum (check opening days) to admire his beautiful paintings and sculptures. Browse in Dedham's quaint village shops and the Art & Craft Centre.
Dinner Suggestions
Fountain House Restaurant at Dedham Hall.
Sun Inn on Dedham High Street opposite the Church.
Boathouse Restaurant on the banks of the River Stour.
Day Two
Start - Finish: Dedham - Stoke by Nayland
Min - Max Distance: 15 - 24 miles
Route Overview
East along Dedham Vale to Flatford Mill. Northwest to Higham and Shelley on the River Brett. West to Polstead and Stoke by Nayland.
Points of Interest en-route
Visit scenes painted by John Constable at Bridge Cottage, Flatford Mill and Willy Lott's Cottage on the banks of the Stour.
Stop off to admire the unusual bellcage at East Bergholt Church.
Linger awhile in beautiful Polstead village to admire some of the fabulous medieval houses, or take a refreshment stop at The Cock Inn next to the village green.
Evening Two
Character Inn/Hotel: Crown Inn
Luxury B&B: Poplars Farmhouse
Things to Do
Explore 15th century St Marys Church in its splendid hilltop setting (a favourite John Constable subject, used in several of his paintings).
Visit nearby Stoke by Nayland club for a round of golf or a luxury spa treatment.
Dinner Suggestions
Day Three
Start - Finish: Stoke by Nayland - Langham
Min - Max Distance: 0 - 25 miles
Route Overview
Southwest and steeply downhill to Nayland. Then, depending on fitness and time availability, a short scenic loop westwards along the idyllic Stour valley, before climbing south out of the valley to return to Langham.
Points of Interest en-route
Pedal slowly along the beautifully preserved medieval high street of Nayland village.
Watch activities at the busy Essex and Suffolk gliding club at Wormingford.
Visit Dedham Vale Vineyard and take a tour to learn about the winemaking process.